differently-legged
|dif-fer-ent-ly-legged|
🇺🇸
/ˈdɪfərəntliˈlɛɡɪd/
🇬🇧
/ˈdɪfrəntliˈlɛɡɪd/
legs not equal
Etymology
'differently-legged' is a modern compound formed from the adverb 'differently' and the adjective 'legged' (from 'leg' + '-ed'). 'differently' ultimately originates from Latin, specifically the present participle 'differēns' of 'differre', where 'dif-/dis-' meant 'apart' and 'ferre' meant 'to carry.' 'leg' originates from Old English/Old Norse words such as 'lǣg'/'leggr' meaning 'limb, leg'.
'differently' entered English via Old French and Middle English from Latin 'differēns'; 'leg' existed in Old English/Old Norse forms and developed into Modern English 'leg'; the compound 'differently-legged' is a relatively recent, transparent Modern English formation combining these elements.
Individually the parts kept their core meanings ('differently' = 'in a different manner', 'leg' = 'limb'); combined as 'differently-legged' the phrase specifically denotes 'having legs that differ', a literal sense that has also been extended metaphorically.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
having legs that differ in length or form; not all legs equal (applied to animals, furniture, etc.).
The old table became differently-legged after one leg was replaced.
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Adjective 2
used figuratively to describe two or more parties or items that are unevenly matched or based on different principles.
It was a differently-legged contest from the start — the teams had very different rules to follow.
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Last updated: 2025/12/08 20:34