Legion

noun; also adjective (predicative, as in "their problems are legion")

/ˈliːdʒən/

A large military unit, originally a division of the ancient Roman army numbering 3,000-6,000 soldiers; in the context of Bose's activities, the Indian Legion (Indische Legion or Legion Freies Indien) was a force of approximately 3,000-4,500 Indian POWs raised in Germany to fight for Indian independence.

✍️ Usage in a UPSC answer

The grievances of the informal-sector workforce are legion, and any credible labour-welfare reform must reckon with this vast, unorganised multitude rather than legislate for the formal economy alone.

Synonyms

multitudehostthrongmyriadarrayswarm

Antonyms

handfulsmatteringfewscattering

🌱 Word Family

legionary (n/adj), legionnaire (n), legion (adj predicative), legioned (adj)

🔡 Root

Latin legiō = body of soldiers, from legere = to choose, collect, levy; attested in English c. 1200

📜 Etymology

From Middle English legioun, from Old French legion, from Latin legiō ("a body of soldiers"), from legere ("to choose, to collect, to levy"); first attested in English c. 1200.

🧠 Memory Hook

A Roman LEGION packed thousands of soldiers into one unit, so a "legion" of anything means a huge, countless crowd; share the root *leg- "to gather" with "collect" and "select."

🏛️ History & Culture 📖 Seen in: Subhas Chandra Bose & the INA

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