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leg

leg

4 7.9
An artificial limb that helps a person walk after losing one
  • noun
  • /lɛg/
: prótesis de pierna
  • After losing his leg in the accident, he received a high-quality prosthetic leg to help him walk again.
  • prosthetic leg
  • artificial leg
  • leg prosthesis

Examples

  • I don't know, but he had a peg leg!

  • I was engaged to a girl once with a wooden leg.

  • I tried to put my leg on this.

  • If you wanna just go wait for me in there, I'll take a look at your leg.

  • I'm thinking of getting metal legs.

  • Show me the leg that isn't working.

  • BOTTOM: Like many prosthetics, Lexi's artificial leg looks like a real limb.

    Academic text (2011)
  • Today he walks with a pair of high-tech robotic legs called C-Legs.

    Academic text (2011)
  • The doctor recommended a new type of leg designed for better mobility and comfort for amputees.

  • She was excited about her new leg, which was more advanced than her previous model and allowed her to run.

Synonyms

prosthetic
vsleg
  • Specialized
30 4.6

An artificial device that replaces a missing body part such as a leg

focuses only on replacement of a missing lower limb not all parts
prosthesis
vsleg
  • Specialized
17 6.0

A thing that replaces a missing body part like a leg, tooth, or eye

applies only to replacing a missing lower limb rather than any body part
wooden leg
vsleg
11 3.8

A leg made of wood that replaces a missing one

is a general artificial limb not limited to wooden construction
peg
vsleg
6 8.1

A replacement leg fitted to help a person walk

refers strictly to an artificial replacement for a missing lower limb
prosthetic device
vsleg
  • Specialized
2 4.1

A man-made part that replaces a missing body part, for example a leg or a tooth

is specifically for replacing a missing lower limb rather than any body part
pegleg
vsleg
1 8.1

A simple wooden leg that replaces a missing lower leg

is the standard artificial limb rather than a traditional single piece form

Idioms

17 4.1

To tell someone something that is not true to make them laugh

to break a leg
  • Informal
16 6.3

To wish someone good luck before a performance

an arm and a leg
  • Informal
12 5.8

A very high cost that needs a lot of money

To have a good reason or proof to support your claim

4 8.0

To show that famous people are ordinary like everyone else

to shake a leg
  • Archaic
3 6.5

To hurry when someone tells you to

1 7.9

Have no good reason or evidence to support a claim

To tease someone by saying something that is not true as a joke

Speak with someone for a very long time until they get tired

To be ordinary like other people

to show a leg
  • Archaic
1 9.5

To come out and join other people

To lie to someone in an obvious way while expecting them to believe it

Compounds

leg up
  • Informal
30 3.4

A form of help or small advantage that makes reaching a goal easier

19 1.0

A back leg on a four-legged animal that helps it walk or jump

16 1.2

The part of trousers that covers one leg

11 3.8

A leg made of wood that replaces a missing one

8 1.0

A back leg of a young sheep cooked and served as a roast

5 2.7

A bone in the leg like the femur or tibia

5 1.0

The lower part of a turkey that people cook and eat

5 1.0

The lower part of a chicken that people eat

2 1.4

The part of a pair of pants that covers one leg

2 7.1

Legs that curve outward below the knee so the knees stay apart when the feet are together

leg day
  • Jargon
1 5.5

A day for exercising the lower body with moves like squats and lunges

1 2.0

An exercise that makes leg muscles stronger and firmer

leg curl
  • Specialized
1 3.5

An exercise that bends the knee to lift the lower leg toward the buttocks and work the hamstrings

leg-pull
  • Archaic
1 7.1

A joke that tries to make someone believe a false story for fun

milk leg
  • Archaic
1 9.9

A painful swelling in the leg after childbirth caused by a blood clot

1 1.0

A part of an animal's body used to stand on and move

leg-pulling
  • Informal
1 7.0

An act of joking to make someone believe something not true

1 8.1

A long thin leg that looks like a pole

leg extensor
  • Specialized
1 6.0

An exercise done on a machine that makes the front thigh muscles stronger by straightening the knee

A cricket dismissal when a batsman's leg blocks the ball from hitting the stumps and the umpire signals out

leg curling
  • Specialized
1 3.5

An exercise that strengthens the muscles at the back of the thigh by bending the knee against a weight

8.4

A pommel horse move where both legs swing together in a circle while the hands switch on the handles

bandy leg
  • Archaic
8.8

A leg that curves outward at or below the knee

A piece of clothing that covers the lower leg from the knee to the ankle

odd-leg caliper
  • Specialized
8.5

A tool with two legs curved the same way used to mark or measure distances on flat metal

white leg
  • Archaic
9.8

A painful swelling in the upper leg caused by a blood clot after giving birth

How Functional

leg
4 7.9
wooden leg
11 3.8
peg
6 8.1

Surface Forms

leg singular
legs plural

Etymology

Leg used for an artificial limb keeps the same name as the real body part, because an artificial 'leg' stands in to help someone walk and support their weight.