Legs of an hyperbola
(gcide) | 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.
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11. (Telephony) A branch or lateral circuit connecting an
instrument with the main line.
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12. (Elec.) A branch circuit; one phase of a polyphase
system.
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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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