legacy

[leg-uh-see]

noun

plural

legacies 

1. Law.,  a gift of property, especially personal property, such as money, by will; a bequest.

   Synonyms: inheritance

2. anything handed down from the past, as from an ancestor or predecessor.

   the legacy of ancient Rome.

   Synonyms: inheritance

3. an applicant to or student at the alma mater of their parent or parents.

   As a legacy, he worried that professors would expect him to be less qualified than his peers.

4. Obsolete.,  the office, function, or commission of a legate.

adjective

1. of or relating to old or outdated computer hardware, software, or data that, while still functional, does not work well with up-to-date systems.

   Legacy systems put you at greater risk of cyberattacks.

2. of or relating to an existing system, process, or state of affairs inherited from the past and typically a burden.

   legacy pollutants;

   a legacy drainage system.

3. being or relating to a university applicant or student whose parent or other close relative attended the same school.

   The admissions policies of most Ivy League schools favor legacy applicants.

legacy

/ ˈlɛɡəsɪ /

noun

1. a gift by will, esp of money or personal property

2. something handed down or received from an ancestor or predecessor

3. (modifier) surviving computer systems, hardware, or software

   legacy network

   legacy application

Word History and Origins

Origin of legacy¹

First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English legacie “office of a deputy or legate,” from Medieval Latin lēgātia, from Latin lēgāt(us) “deputy” ( legate ) + -ia, noun suffix ( -acy )

Word History and Origins

Origin of legacy¹

C14 (meaning: office of a legate), C15 (meaning: bequest): from Medieval Latin lēgātia commission; see _legate

Example Sentences

Ahead of a Hollywood Bowl tribute concert, those close to the late R&B singer consider her life and legacy.

From Los Angeles Times

However, as demand for various types of AI workloads increases, both startups and legacy rivals have sought to offer more affordable alternatives to Nvidia’s chips.

From Los Angeles Times

Prof Charles Knight, chief executive of the hospital, said the renewal work stood "as a lasting legacy of our recent 900th anniversary, connecting centuries of medical excellence with our rich heritage".

From BBC

CBS News is a traditional mass appeal network TV operation with a proud legacy of journalistic excellence and the home of popular franchises “60 Minutes” and “CBS Sunday Morning.”

From Los Angeles Times

She has reportedly turned to Mrs T's legacy herself for inspiration, reading a book about her predecessor's early years in power.

From BBC

Related Words

• estate 
• gift 
• tradition