Were I left to myself, I would rather aim at instructing than diverting; but if we will be useful to the world, we must take it as we find it. Spectator.

- LEFT. adj. [lufte, Dutch; levus, Latin.] Sinistrous; not right.

That there is also in men a natural prepotency in the right, we cannot with constancy af, firm, if we make observation in children, who, permitted the freedom of both hands, do ofttimes confine it unto the left, and are not without great difficulty restr. ined from it.

Brown's Vulg. Errours.

The right to Pluto's golden palace guides,

The left to that unhappy region tends,

Which to the depth of Tartarus descends. Dryd.
The gods of greater nations dwell around,
And, on the right and left, the palace bound;
The commons where they can.

A raven from a wither'd oak,

If there be no such thing apparent upon record, they do as if one should demand a legacy by force and virtue of some written testament, wherein there being no such thing specified, he pleadeth that there it must needs be, and bringeth arguments from the love or good-will which always the testator bore him; imagining, that these, or the like proofs, will convict a testament to have that in it, which other men can no where by reading find. Hooker.

Fetch the will hither, and we shall determine How to cut off some charge in legacies. Shaksp. Good counsel is the best legacy a father can leave a child. L'Estrange.

When he thought you gone T'augment the number of the bless'd above, He deem'd 'em legacies of royal love;.

Nor arm'd his brother's portions to invade, But to defend the present you had made. Dryd. When the heir of this vast treasure knew,

Dryden

How large a legasy was left to you, He wisely tied it to the crown again.

Dryden.

Left of their lodging was oblig'd to croak: That omen lik'd him not.

Dryden.

Prior.

The man who struggles in the fight, Fatigues left arm as well as right. LEFT-HANDED. adj. (left and band.] Using the left hand rather than right.

The limbs are used most on the right-side, whereby custom helpeth; for we see, that some are left-handed, which are such as have used the left hand most.

Bacon.

For the seat of the heart and liver on one side, whereby men become left-handed, it happeneth too rarely to countenance an effect so common:

monstrous.

for the seat of the liver on the left side is very Brown's Vulg. Errours. LEFT-HANDEDNESS. N. s. [from leftbanded.] Habitual use of the left hand. Although a squint left-handedness B' ungracious; yet we cannot want that hand. Donne.

LEG.n.s. [leg, Danish; leggur, Islandick.] 1. The limb by which we walk; particularly that part between the knee and the foot.

They haste; and what their tardy feet deny'd, The trusty staff, their better leg, supply'd. Dryd. Purging comfits, and ants' eggs,

Had almost brought him off his legs. Hudibras. Such intrigues people cannot meet with, who have nothing but legs to carry them.

Audison.

Prier.

1. Done or conceived according to law. Whatsoever was before Richard I. was before time of memory; and what is since, is in a legal sense, within the time of memory. Hale. 2. Lawful; not contrary to law. 3. According to the law of the old dispensation.

His merits

To save them, not their own, though legal, works. Milton,

LEGALITY. n.s. [legalité, Fr.] Lawful

ness.

To LEGALIZE. v. a. [legaliser, Fr. from legal.] To authorize; to make lawful.

If any thing can legalize revenge, it should be injury from an extremely obliged person: but revenge is so absolutely the peculiar of Heaven, that no consideration can impower, even the best men, to assume the execution of it. South. LEGALLY.adv. [from iegul.] Lawfully; according to law.

A prince may not, much less may inferior judges, deny justice, when it is legally and competently demanded. Tayler. LEGATARY. n. s. [legataire, Fr. from legatum, Lat.] One who has a legacy left.

An executor shall exhib't a true inventory of goods, taken in the presence of fit persons, as creditors and legataries are, unto the ordinary. Ayliffe.

LEGATE. n. S. [legatus, Lat. legat, Fr. legato, Italian.]

1. A deputy; an ambassadour.

The legates from th' Ætolian prince return; Sad news they bring, that after all the cost, And care employ'd, their embassy is lost. Dryd.

2

. A kind of spiritual ambassadour from the pope; a commissioner deputed by the pope for ecclesiastical affairs.

Look where the holy legate comes apace, To give us warrant from the hand of Heav'n. Shakspeare. Upon the legate's summons, he submitted himself to an examination, and appeared before him. Atterbury. LEGATE'E. N. Ss. [from legatum, Latin.] One who has a legacy left him.

If he chance to 'scape this dismal bout,

The former legatees are blotted out. Dryd. Juv. My will is, that if any of the above-named /egatees should die before me, that then the respective legacies shall revert to myself. Swift. LE GATINE. adj. [from legate.] 1. Made by a segate.

When any one is absolved from excommunication, it is provided by a legatine constitution, that some one shall publish such absolution.

Ayliffe.

2. Belonging to a legate of the Roman

And in this legend all that glorious deed Read, whilst you arm you; arm you whilst you Fairfax.

read.

3. An incredible unauthentick narrative. Who can show the legends, that record More idle tales, or fables so absurd? Blackmore. It is the way of attaining to Heaven, that makes profane scorners so willingly let go the expectation of it. It is not the articles of the creed, but the duty to God and their neighbour, that is such an inconsistent incredible legend. Bentley. + Any inscription; particularly on medals or coins.

Compare the beauty and comprehensiveness of legends on ancient coins. Addison on Medals. LEGER. n. s. [from legger, Dutch. To lie or remain in a p'ace.] Any thing that lies in a place; as, a leger ambassador, a resident, one that continues at the court to which he is sent; a leger.

book, a book that lies in the countinghouse.

Lord Angelo, having affairs to Heav'n, Intends you for his swift ambassador, Where you shall be an everlasting leiger. Shak..

I've giv'n him that, Which, if he take, shall quite unpeople her Of leidgers for her sweet. Shaksp. Cymbeline. If legier ambassadors or agents were sent to remain near the courts of princes, to observe their motions, such were made choice of as were vigilant. Bacon.

Who can endear Thy praise too much? thou art Heav'n's leiger here, Working against the states of death and hell.

Herbert.

He withdrew not his confidence from any of those who attended his person, who, in truth, lay leiger for the covenant, and kept up the spirits of their countrymen by their intelligence.

Clarendon.

I call that a ledger bait, which is fixed, or made to rest, in one certain place, when you shall be absent; and I call that a walking bait which you

2. 5.

Walton.

have ever in motion. LEGERDEMΑΙΝ. [contracted perhaps from legereté de main, Fr.] Slight of hand; juggle; power of deceiving the eye by nimble motion; trick; deception; knack.

He so light was at legerdemain, That what he touch'd came not to light again. Hubberd.

Of all the tricks and legerdemain by which men impose upon their own souls, there is none se common as the plea of a good intention. South. LEGE'RITY. n. s. [legorete, Fr.] Lightness; nimbleness; quickness. Not in use.

When the mind is quicken'd, The organs though defunct and dead before, Break up their drowsy grave, and newly move With casted slough and fresh legerity. Shaksp. LEGGED. adj. (from leg.] Having legs;

furnished with legs. LEGIBLE. N. s. [legibilis, Latin.] 1. Such as may be read.

You observe some clergymen with their heads held down within an inch of the cushion, to read what is hardly legible. 2. Apparent; discoverable.

Swift.

People's opinions of themselves are legible in their countenances. Thus a kind imagination makes a bold man have vigour and enterprize in his air and motion; it stamps value and significancy upon his face.

Collier,

LEGIBLY. adv. [from legible.] In such a manner as may be read. LEGION. n. 5. [legio, Latin.] 1. A body of Roman soldiers, consisting of about five thousand.

The most remarkable piece in Antoninus's pillar is, the figure of Jupiter Pluvius sending rain on the fainting army of Marcus Aurelius, and thunderbolts on his enemies, which is the greatest confirmation possible of the story of the Christian legion. 2. A military force.

She to foreign realms Sends forth her dreadful legions. 3. Any great number.

Addison.

Philips.

Not in the legions Of horrid hell, can come a devil more damn'd. Shakspeare.

South.

Heroes in animated marble frown, And legislators seem to think in stone. Pope. LEGISLATURE. n. s. [from legislator, Latin.] The power that makes laws. Without the concurrent consent of all three parts of the legislature, no law is, or can be made. Hale.

In the notion of a legislature is implied a power to change, repeal, and suspend laws in being, as well as to make new laws. Addison.

By the supreme magistrate is properly understood the legislative power; but the word magistrate seeming to denote a single person, and to express the executive power, it came to pass that the obedience due to the legislature was, for want of considering this easy distinction, misap plied to the administration. Swift. LEGÍTIMACY. n. s. [from legitimate.] 1. Lawfulness of birth.

In respect to his legitimacy, it will be good.
Ayliffe.

2. Genuineness; not spuriousness.
'The legitimacy or reality of these marine bo-
dies vindicated, I now inquire by what means
they were hurried out of the ocean.

Wo.dw.

2. Genuinely. By degrees he rose to Jove's imperial seat; Thus difficulties prove a soul legitimately great. Dryden. LEGITIMATION. n. s. [legitimation, Fr. from legitimate.] 1. Lawtul birth.

I have disclaimed my land; Legitimation, name, and all is gone: Then, good my mother, let me know my father. Sbakspeare.

From whence will arise many questions of le*gitimation, and what in nature is the difference betwixt a wife and a concubine. Locke.

2. The act of investing with the privileges of lawful birth.

LEGUME. In. s. [legume, Fr. legumen, LEGUMEN. S Lat.] Seeds not reaped, but gathered by the hand; as, beans: in general, all larger seeds; pulse.

Some legumens, as peas or beans, if newly gathered and distilled in a retort, will afford an acid spirit. Boyle.

In the spring fell great rains, upon which ensued a most destructive mildew upon the corn and legumes. Arbuthnet.

LEGUMINOUS. adj. [legumineux, Fr. from legumen.] Belonging to pulse; consisting of pulse.

'The properest food of the vegetable kingdom is taken from the farinaceous seeds: as oats, barley, and wheat or of some of the siliquose or leguminous; as, peas or beans. Arbuthnot. LEISURABLY.adv. [fromirisurable.] At leisure; without tumult or hurry.

Let us beg of God, that when the hour of our rest is come, the patterns of our dissolution may be Jacob, Moses, Joshua, and David, who leisurably ending their lives in peace, prayed for the mercies of God upon their posterity. Hooker. LEISURABLE. adj. [from leisure.] Done at leisure; not hurried; enjoying lei

sure.

A relation inexcusable in his works of leisurable hours, the examination being as ready as the relation. Brown.

LEISURE. n. s. [loisir, French.] 1. Freedom from business or hurry; vacancy of mind; power to spend time according to choice.

A gentleman fell very sick, and a friend said to him, Send for a physician; but the sick man answered, It is no matter; for if I die, I will die at leisure. Bacon's Apophthegms. Where ambition and avarice have made no entrance, the desire of leisure is much more natural than of business and care. Temple,

You may enjoy your quiet in a garden, where you have not only the leisure of thinking, but the pleasure to think of nothing which can discompose your mind.

2. Convenience of time.

Dryden.

So long a growing, and so leisurely
That, if the rule be true, he should be gracious.
Shakspeare.

The earl of Warwick, with a handful of men, fired Leith and Edinburgh, and returned by a leisurely march. Hayward.

The bridge is human life: upon a leisurely survey of it, I found that it consisted of threescore and ten intire arches. Addison. LEISURELY. adv. [irom leisure.] Not in a hurry; slowly; deliberately.

one.

Addison.

The Belgians hop'd, that with disorder'd haste, Our deep-cut keels upon the sands might run; Or if with caution leisurely we past, Their numerous gross might charge us one by Dryden. We descended very leisurely, my friend being careful to count the steps. LEMAN. n.5. [Generally supposed to be l'aimant, the lover, Fr. but imagined by Junius, with almost equal probability, to be derived from leef, Dutch, or leor, Saxon, beloved and man. This etymology is strongly supported by the ancient orthography, according to which it was written leveman.] A sweetheart; a gallant; or a mistress.

Hanmer.

Hold for my sake, and do him not to dye; But vanquish'd, thine eternal bondslave make, And me thy worthy meed unto thy leman take.

A cup of wine,

That's brisk and fine,

And drink unto the leman mine.

Spenser.

Shaksp. LE'MMA. n. 5. [λήμμα; lemme, French.] A proposition previously assumed. LE'MON. n. 5. [limon, Fr. limonium, low Latin.]

1. The fruit of the lemon-tree.

The juice of lemons is more cooling and astringent than that of oranges.

Arbuthnot.

The dyers use it for dying of bright yellows and lemon colours. Mortimer.

Bear me, Pomona! To where the lemon and the piercing lime, With the deep orange, glowing through the green,

Their lighter glories blend.

2. The tree that bears lemons.

Thomson.

1. To afford or supply, on condition of repayment.

In common worldly things 'tis call'd ungrateful With dull unwillingness to pay a debr, Which, with a bounteous hand, was kindly lent; Much more to be thus opposite with Heav'n.

Shakspeare. Thou shalt not give him thy money upon usury, nor lend him thy victuals for increase. Levit.

They dare not give, and e'en refuse to lend, To their poor kindred, or a wanting friend. Dry. 2. To suffer to be used on condition that it be restored.

I'll lend it thee, my dear, but have no power to give it from me. Sbakspeare. The fair blessing we vouchsafe to send; Nor can we spare you long, though often we may Dryden.

lend.

3. To afford; to grant in general.

Covetousness, like the sea, receives the tribute of all rivers, tho. gh far unlike it in lending any back again. Decay of Piety. Painting and poesy are two sisters so like, that they lend to each other their name and office: one is called a dumb poesy, and the other a speaking picture. Dryden's Dufresnoy.

From thy new hope, and from thy growing

store,

Now lend assistance, and relieve the poor. Dryd.
Cato, lend me for a while thy patience,
And condescend to hear a young man speak.
Addison.

Cephisa, thou

Wilt lend a hand to close thy mistress' eyes. Phil. LENDER. N. S. [from lend.] 1. One who lends any thing. 2. One who makes a trade of putting money to interest.

Let the state be answered some small matter, and the rest left to the lender; if the abatement be small, it will not discourage the lender he that took ten in the hundred, will sooner descend to eight than give over this trade.

Bacon.

Whole droves of lenders crowd the bankers doors

To call in money. Dryden's Spanish Fryar. Interest would certainly encourage the lender to venture in such a time of danger. Addison. LENGTH. n. s. [from leng, Saxon.] 1. The extent of any thing material from end to end; the longest line that can be drawn through a body.

There is in Ticinum a church that is in length one hundred feet, in breadth twenty, and in heighth near fifty: it reporteth the voice twelve or thirteen times.

2. Horizontal extension.

Bacon.

Mezentius rushes on his foes, And first unhappy Acron overthrows; Stretch'd at his length he spurns the swarthy Dryden.

ground.

3. Comparative extent; a certain portion of space or time: in this sense it has a plural.

Large lengths of seas and shores Between my father and my mother lay. Shaksp. To get from th' enemy, and Ralph, free; Left danger, fears, and foes, behind, And beat, at least, three lengths the wind. Hudib. Time glides along with undiscover'd haste, The future but a length beyond the past. Dryd. 4. Extent of duration or space.

What length of lands, what oceans have you pass'd, What storms sustain'd, and on what shores been cast? Dryden.