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legacy

LEG-uh-see /ˈlɛɡəsi/

nounadjectiveB2GRETOEFLIELTSSAT

GeneralFormal

(n) Something transmitted by or received from an ancestor or predecessor or from the past. (adj) Denoting an old or outdated computer system, software, or data that is still in use.

As a noun, it often carries a positive or neutral connotation (e.g., a legacy of peace). As an adjective in technology, it usually implies something old, potentially difficult to maintain, but still critical to current operations.

The story behind the word. "Legacy" comes from the Latin word legare, meaning "to bequeath" or "to send as an envoy." This root gave us words like "legate" (a representative). Over time, it came to mean something left to someone in a will, and by extension, anything handed down from the past. In technology, it refers to older systems that have been "bequeathed" to the present, often with their challenges.

Word relationships

inheritance: Something inherited.
heritage: Property that is or may be inherited; an inheritance.
outdated (tech sense): No longer current or fashionable.

innovation: The action or process of innovating.
modernity: The quality or condition of being modern.

Commonly confused with

outdated: "Legacy" specifically refers to something inherited from the past that is still in use, often implying complexity or difficulty in replacement. "Outdated" is a more general term for something no longer current.

Word family

legate (noun): a representative or envoy.

Collocations

legacy system
legacy code
legacy software
rich legacy
lasting legacy
cultural legacy

Example sentences

"The company still relies on a legacy system for its core accounting, making upgrades difficult." Discussing challenges in IT infrastructure.
"Her artistic legacy continues to inspire generations of painters." Referring to an artist's enduring influence.
"The new software needed to integrate seamlessly with the existing legacy hardware." Describing integration requirements for new software.

Memory hook

Think of "LEG-a-SEE" as something you "see" from the past, like an old law or system. See the past

When not to use

Don't use "legacy" as an adjective to simply mean "old" if there's no implication of it being inherited or a system that's still functional but outdated.

Fun facts

The term "legacy system" became prominent in the IT world in the 1980s and 90s, as businesses grappled with maintaining older, often mainframe-based, software while trying to adopt newer technologies.