Noun

(stories)

A sequence of real or fictional events; or, an account of such a sequence.

* Ed. Rev.

Venice, with its unique city and its impressive story

* Sir W. Temple

The four great monarchies make the subject of ancient story .

*

, title=(The Celebrity), chapter=1 , passage=The stories did not seem to me to touch life. They were plainly intended to have a bracing moral effect, and perhaps had this result for the people at whom they were aimed. They left me with the impression of a well-delivered stereopticon lecture, with characters about as life-like as the shadows on the screen, and whisking on and off, at the mercy of the operator.}}

* {{quote-magazine, date=2013-06-29, volume=407, issue=8842, page=55, magazine=(The Economist)

, title= Travels and travails , passage=Even without hovering drones, a lurking assassin, a thumping score and a denouement, the real-life story of Edward Snowden, a rogue spy on the run, could be straight out of the cinema. But, as with Hollywood, the subplots and exotic locations may distract from the real message: America’s discomfort and its foes’ glee.}}

A lie.

(chiefly, US) A floor or level of a building; a storey.

* 1900 , , (The House Behind the Cedars) , chapter I:

The lower story of the market-house was open on all four of its sides to the public square.

(US, colloquial, usually pluralized) A soap opera.

(obsolete) History.

* 1644 , (John Milton), (Aeropagitica) :

who is so unread or so uncatechis'd in story , that hath not heard of many sects refusing books as a hindrance, and preserving their doctrine unmixt for many ages, only by unwritt'n traditions.

A sequence of events, or a situation, such as might be related in an account.

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 .