How Do You Spell BLACKLEGGED?

Pronunciation: [blˈaklɪɡˌɪd] (IPA)

The spelling of the word "blacklegged" is a bit tricky due to the silent "k" and irregular placement of double letters. In IPA phonetic transcription, the word is pronounced /ˈblækˌlɛɡd/, with emphasis on the first syllable. The "ck" in "black" is pronounced as a single "k" sound, while the "gg" in "legged" is pronounced as a separate hard "g" sound. This word is primarily used to describe certain species of ticks, known for their dark coloration on their legs.

BLACKLEGGED Meaning and Definition

1. Blacklegged is an adjective that refers to something or someone having dark or black legs. The term can be used in both a literal and figurative sense. In the literal sense, it describes the appearance of legs that are dark in color, often due to the presence of black pigment or other external factors such as dirt or dust. For example, a species of spider may be described as blacklegged if it has dark colored legs.

   In a figurative sense, blacklegged is commonly used to describe a person who refuses to join or support a strike or other industrial actions carried out by their colleagues or union. A blacklegged individual may continue working during a strike, undermining the collective action of their fellow workers. This term is often used in labor union contexts, where being a blackleg is considered a negative term and is associated with betraying or undermining the solidarity of the group.

   The term "blacklegged" may also be used metaphorically to describe an action or behavior that goes against accepted norms or principles. It implies a lack of integrity or loyalty. For example, someone who cheats or engages in dishonest practices may be described as blacklegged.

   Overall, the term blacklegged can refer to physical characteristics, such as the color of legs, as well as behavior or actions that are perceived as disloyal or contrary to established norms or values.

Etymology of BLACKLEGGED

The word "blacklegged" is a compound word derived from the combination of two words: "black" and "legged".

The word "black" originated from the Old English word "blæc", which meant "dark" or "swarthy", and can be traced back to the Proto-Germanic word "blakaz". It is related to other Germanic languages such as German "schwarz" and Dutch "zwart", all meaning "black".

The word "legged" is the past participle of the verb "leg", which comes from the Old English word "legean" meaning "to lay". In this context, "legged" refers to having legs or limbs, as in "a creature with legs".

So, when combined, "blacklegged" essentially describes something or someone that has black-colored legs or limbs.

Conjugate verb Blacklegged

CONDITIONAL

I would blacklegged

you would blacklegged

he/she/it would blacklegged

we would blacklegged

they would blacklegged

CONDITIONAL CONTINUOUS

I would be blacklegging

you would be blacklegging

he/she/it would be blacklegging

we would be blacklegging

they would be blacklegging

CONDITIONAL PERFECT

I would have blacklegged

you would have blacklegged

he/she/it would have blacklegged

we would have blacklegged

they would have blacklegged

CONDITIONAL PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I would have been blacklegging

you would have been blacklegging

he/she/it would have been blacklegging

we would have been blacklegging

they would have been blacklegging

FUTURE

I will blackleg

you will blackleg

he/she/it will blackleg

we will blackleg

they will blackleg

FUTURE CONTINUOUS

I will be blacklegging

you will be blacklegging

he/she/it will be blacklegging

we will be blacklegging

they will be blacklegging

FUTURE PERFECT

I will have blacklegged

you will have blacklegged

he/she/it will have blacklegged

we will have blacklegged

they will have blacklegged

FUTURE PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I will have been blacklegging

you will have been blacklegging

he/she/it will have been blacklegging

we will have been blacklegging

they will have been blacklegging

IMPERATIVE

you blackleg

we let´s blackleg

NONFINITE VERB FORMS

to blackleg

PAST

I blacklegged

you blacklegged

he/she/it blacklegged

we blacklegged

they blacklegged

PAST CONTINUOUS

I was blacklegging

you were blacklegging

he/she/it was blacklegging

we were blacklegging

they were blacklegging

PAST PARTICIPLE

blacklegged

PAST PERFECT

I had blacklegged

you had blacklegged

he/she/it had blacklegged

we had blacklegged

they had blacklegged

PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I had been blacklegging

you had been blacklegging

he/she/it had been blacklegging

we had been blacklegging

they had been blacklegging

PRESENT

I blackleg

you blackleg

he/she/it blacklegs

we blackleg

they blackleg

PRESENT CONTINUOUS

I am blacklegging

you are blacklegging

he/she/it is blacklegging

we are blacklegging

they are blacklegging

PRESENT PARTICIPLE

blacklegging

PRESENT PERFECT

I have blacklegged

you have blacklegged

he/she/it has blacklegged

we have blacklegged

they have blacklegged

PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I have been blacklegging

you have been blacklegging

he/she/it has been blacklegging

we have been blacklegging

they have been blacklegging