legacy

Legacy refers to something that is handed down or left behind by a predecessor, often pertaining to personal, cultural, or institutional contributions that have enduring significance. It can encompass a wide range of elements such as values, traditions, property, or intellectual achievements. In a broader sense, legacy captures the impact an individual or organization has on future generations, influencing their beliefs, practices, and circumstances. It is often used in discussions about inheritance, both in a physical sense with material possessions and in a more abstract sense regarding ideas and influences that shape identities and histories. The concept of legacy underscores the continuity of influence over time, linking past actions or ideals to present and future consequences.