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Heiligenlegende

hagiography, saint's legend

noun HYE-li-gen-le-gen-de Rare
Arts & Culture Literature

Origin: from Latin legenda

Usage Note

Heiligenlegende is the traditional narrative of a saint's life and miracles. Medieval Heiligenlegenden were collected in works like the Legenda Aurea and read aloud on feast days. They blend historical fact and pious legend, and remain a genre studied in German literature.

Examples

"Die Heiligenlegende des heiligen Martin erzählt, wie er seinen Mantel mit einem Bettler teilte."

Natural Translation

The legend of St Martin tells how he shared his cloak with a beggar.

Literal Translation

The saint's-legend of the holy Martin tells, how he his cloak with a beggar shared.

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