Légende Etymology - Origin & History

Légende

/le.ʒɑ̃d/noun

A traditional story, especially one popularly regarded as historical but not verifiable.

Did you know?In medieval Christianity, a legenda was a text intended to be read aloud on a saint’s feast day, especially the saint’s life or martyrdom.

Etymological Timeline

Proto-Indo-European

PIE

*leg-

“To gather, collect, or pick up; later associated with gathering words by reading.”

Classical Latin

Latin

legere

“To gather, choose, read, or recite.”

Late Latin

Latin

legenda

“Things that ought to be read; a feminine plural gerundive of legere.”

13th Century

Old French

legende

“A saint’s life or devotional text appointed to be read.”

Modern French

French

légende

“A traditional tale, or a celebrated person regarded as almost mythical.”

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