[Middle English, from Old French legende, from Medieval Latin (lectiō) legenda, (lesson) to be read, from Latin feminine gerundive of legere, to read.]

Usage Note: The words legend and legendary have come to be used in recent years to refer to any person or achievement whose fame promises to be particularly enduring, even if its renown is created more by the media than by oral tradition. Strictly speaking, there is nothing legendary about the accomplishments of a major-league baseball star or the voice of a famous opera singer, since their accomplishments are documented in an extensive public record. But this new usage is common journalistic hyperbole and in such contexts is acceptable to 55 percent of the Usage Panel.