Lĕg'a-cy, n.

n. [Lat. as if legatia, for legatum, from legare, to appoint by last will, to bequeath as a legacy; It. legato, Sp. & Pg. legado, Pr. & O. Fr. legal, N. Fr. legs.]

1. A gift, by will, of personal property; a bequest.
2. A business with which one is intrusted by another; a commission. [Obs.] “My legacy and message wherefore I am sent into the world.” Tyndale. “He came and told his legacy.” Chapman.

Legacy duty, a tax paid to government on legacies. Wharton.