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Legend vs Apocryphal - What's the difference?

legend | apocryphal |

As a noun legend

is a story of unknown origin describing plausible but extraordinary past events.

As a verb legend

is (archaic|transitive) to tell or narrate; to recount.

As an adjective apocryphal is

of or relating to the apocrypha.

legend

English

(wikipedia legend)

Noun

(en noun)
  • A story of unknown origin describing plausible but extraordinary past events.
  • The legend of Troy was discovered to have historical basis.
  • A story in which a kernel of truth is embellished to an unlikely degree.
  • The 1984 Rose Bowl prank has spawned many legends . Here's the real story.
  • A leading protagonist in a historical legend.
  • Achilles is a legend in Greek culture.
  • A person of extraordinary accomplishment.
  • Michael Jordan stands as a legend in basketball.
  • A key to the symbols and color codes on a map, chart, etc.
  • According to the legend on the map, that building is a school.
  • An inscription, motto, or title, especially one surrounding the field in a medal or coin, or placed upon a heraldic shield or beneath an engraving or illustration.
  • A fabricated backstory for a spy, with associated documents and records; a cover story.
  • According to his legend , he once worked for the Red Cross, spreading humanitarian aid in Africa.
  • * 1992 , edition, ISBN 067173458X, page 115:
  • If the documents are needed to establish "a light legend ," meaning a superficial cover story, no steps are taken to make sure that if someone calls the college or motor vehicle department, the name on the document will be registered.
  • * 2003 , Rodney Carlisle, , ISBN 0028644182, page 105:
  • Sorge solidified his own position by returning to Germany and developing a new legend . He joined the Nazi Party.
  • * 2005 , , ISBN 1591146607, page 25:
  • Both the agent's legend and documents were intended to stand up against casual questions from Soviet citizens, such as during a job interview, or a routine police document check, such as were made at railway stations.
  • (UK, Irish, Australia, New Zealand, colloquial, slang) A cool, nice or helpful person, especially one who is male.
  • I've lost my pen! —Here mate, borrow mine. —You legend .

    Synonyms

    * (story of unknown origin) myth * (story embellished to become implausible) myth, tall tale * (leading protagonist) hero * (person of extraordinary accomplishment) hero * (key to symbols on a map or chart) guide, key * (text on a coin) inscription * (fabricated backstory for a spy) cover, cover story * (worthy friend) brick

    Derived terms

    * campus legend * legend in one's own lunchtime * legend in one's own mind * legend in one's own time * living legend * urban legend

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • (archaic) To tell or narrate; to recount.
  • (Bishop Hall)

    apocryphal

    English

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • Of, or pertaining to, the .
  • Of doubtful authenticity, or lacking authority; not regarded as canonical.
  • Many scholars consider the stories of the monk Teilo to be apocryphal .
  • Of dubious veracity; of questionable accuracy or truthfulness; anecdotal or in the nature of an urban legend.
  • There is an apocryphal tale of a little boy plugging the dike with his finger.
    {{quote-Fanny Hill, part=3 , Charles, already dispos'd by the evidence of his senses to think my pretences to virginity not entirely apocryphal , smothers me with kisses, begs me, in the name of love, to have a little patience, and that he will be as tender of hurting me as he would be of himself.}}