legacy

[ leg-uh-see ]
/ ˈlɛg ə si /

noun, plural leg·a·cies.

Law. a gift of property, especially personal property, as money, by will; a bequest.
anything handed down from the past, as from an ancestor or predecessor: the legacy of ancient Rome.
an applicant to or student at a school that was attended by his or her parent.
Obsolete. the office, function, or commission of a legate.

adjective

of or relating to old or outdated computer hardware, software, or data that, while still functional, does not work well with up-to-date systems.

Origin of legacy

1325–75; Middle English legacie office of a deputy or legate < Medieval Latin lēgātia. See legate, -acy

SYNONYMS FOR legacy

1, 2 inheritance.

Example sentences from the Web for legacies

British Dictionary definitions for legacies

legacy
/ (ˈlɛɡəsɪ) /

noun plural -cies

a gift by will, esp of money or personal property
something handed down or received from an ancestor or predecessor
(modifier) surviving computer systems, hardware, or software legacy network; legacy application

Word Origin for legacy

C14 (meaning: office of a legate), C15 (meaning: bequest): from Medieval Latin lēgātia commission; see legate