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Legacy

Pl.Legacies. [L. (assumed) legatia, for legatum, from legare to appoint by last will, to bequeath as a legacy, to depute: cf. OF. Legat legacy. See Legate.

1. A gift of property by will, especially. Of money or personal property; a bequest. Also fig.; as, a legacy of dishonor or disease.

2. A business with which one is intrusted by another; a commission; obsolete, except in the phrases last legacy, dying legacy, and the like. My legacy and message wherefore i am sent into the world. (Tyndale) He came and told his legacy. (Chapman) legacy duty, a tax paid to government on legacies. Legacy hunter, one who flatters and courts any one for the sake of a legacy.