court leet (leta vifae franci plegii), is a court of record, ordained for punishing offences against the crown; and is said to be the most ancient court of the land. It inquires of all offences under high treason; but those who are to be punished with loss of life or member, are only inquisitive and presentable here, and to be certified over to the justices of assise, (Stat. i. Edw. III.). And this court is called the view of frank pledge, because the king is to be there certified by the view of the steward, how many people are within every leet, and have an account of their good manners and government; and every person of the age of 12 years, who hath remained there for a year and a day, may be sworn to be faithful to the king, and the people are to be kept in peace, &c. A leet is incident to a hundred, as a court baron to a manor; for by grant of a hundred, a leet paffeth; and a hundred cannot be without a leet.—The usual method of punishment in the court-leet, is by fine and amercement; the former afflicting by the fleward, and the latter by the jury.

Leeuw (William de), an eminent engraver of the last century. He was a native of Flanders, and the disciple of Soutman, whose manner of engraving, or rather etching, he imitated. His prints generally appear harsh at first sight; but grow into favour upon examination, and several of them have great effect; particularly his Daniel in the lion's den, a large plate lengthwise, from Rubens. The first impressions of this plate are before the name of Dankertz was added, and are now extremely rare and dear.

Leeeward Ship, a vessel that falls much to leeward of her course, when sailing close-hauled, and consequently loses much ground.

To Leeeward, towards that part of the horizon which lies under the lee, or whither the wind bloweth. Thus, "We saw a fleet under the lee," and, "We saw a fleet to leeward," are synonymous expressions.

Leg, in anatomy, the whole lower extremity from the acetabula of the osa innominata, commonly divided into three parts, viz. the thigh, the leg properly so called, and the foot. See Anatomy, n° 60.