leg bail

1 definition found

leg bail - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Leg \Leg\ (l[e^]g), n. [Icel. leggr; akin to Dan. l[ae]g calf of
     the leg, Sw. l[aum]gg.]
     1. A limb or member of an animal used for supporting the
        body, and in running, climbing, and swimming; esp., that
        part of the limb between the knee and foot.
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     2. That which resembles a leg in form or use; especially, any
        long and slender support on which any object rests; as,
        the leg of a table; the leg of a pair of compasses or
        dividers.
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     3. The part of any article of clothing which covers the leg;
        as, the leg of a stocking or of a pair of trousers.
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     4. A bow, esp. in the phrase to make a leg; probably from
        drawing the leg backward in bowing. [Obs.]
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              He that will give a cap and make a leg in thanks for
              a favor he never received.            --Fuller.
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     5. A disreputable sporting character; a blackleg. [Slang,
        Eng.]
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     6. (Naut.) The course and distance made by a vessel on one
        tack or between tacks.
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     7. (Steam Boiler) An extension of the boiler downward, in the
        form of a narrow space between vertical plates, sometimes
        nearly surrounding the furnace and ash pit, and serving to
        support the boiler; -- called also water leg.
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     8. (Grain Elevator) The case containing the lower part of the
        belt which carries the buckets.
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     9. (Cricket) A fielder whose position is on the outside, a
        little in rear of the batter.
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     10. (Math.) Either side of a triangle distinguished from the
         base or, in a right triangle, from the hypotenuse; also,
         an indefinitely extending branch of a curve, as of a
         hyperbola.
         [Webster 1913 Suppl.]
  
     11. (Telephony) A branch or lateral circuit connecting an
         instrument with the main line.
         [Webster 1913 Suppl.]
  
     12. (Elec.) A branch circuit; one phase of a polyphase
         system.
         [Webster 1913 Suppl.]
  
     A good leg (Naut.), a course sailed on a tack which is near
        the desired course.
  
     Leg bail, escape from custody by flight. [Slang]
  
     Legs of an hyperbola (or other curve) (Geom.), the branches
        of the curve which extend outward indefinitely.
  
     Legs of a triangle, the sides of a triangle; -- a name
        seldom used unless one of the sides is first distinguished
        by some appropriate term; as, the hypothenuse and two legs
        of a right-angled triangle.
  
     On one's legs, standing to speak.
  
     On one's last legs. See under Last.
  
     To have legs (Naut.), to have speed.
  
     To stand on one's own legs, to support one's self; to be
        independent.
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