noun
legacy
A college applicant related to a former student of that college.
The applicant is a legacy because her father attended the college.
Etymology
Legacy belongs to the Latin family of legare, to bequeath or appoint. From something handed down, the college sense names an applicant whose family connection with the institution comes from an earlier generation.
More examples
- The university changed its policy toward legacies.
- He applied as a legacy but received no special treatment.
- The report examined admission rates for legacy applicants.
Forms
legacy · legacies
Similar words
- alumni relative
- A plain description of the applicant's family connection.