Legacy

Part of speech: noun

Pronunciation: /ˈlɛɡəsi/

Definitions

1. Something handed down from the past, such as property, traditions, or the lasting impact of a person's actions
2. An inheritance or bequest from a preceding generation, which may include assets, traditions, or the enduring influence of someone's life choices
3. A gift or endowment received from predecessors, encompassing financial assets, cultural practices, or the long-term effects of individual contributions

Etymology: The most surprising thread here runs through the law rather than through inheritance in general. Latin "lēgātum" meant a bequest, something left to someone in a will, and it comes from "lēgāre", "to bequeath" or "to appoint by will". That same Latin root gave us "legate", a person sent on an official mission, and "legatee", the one who receives a bequest. The meaning of "legacy" has stayed close to its legal origin: a sum of money or property passed on after death. The word passed into Middle English as "legacie" and reached English through Old French "legacie" and Medieval Latin "lēgātia". Over the centuries it broadened from money and goods to anything handed down from the past, such as a tradition, a reputation, or a country's achievements. In 2011, game designer Rob Daviau gave the word a new sense in board gaming with "Risk Legacy", a game in which the board and components change as players progress, so each session leaves permanent marks behind for the next.

Synonyms: inheritance, bequest, heritage

Antonyms: debt, liability