League (?), n. [Cf. OE. legue,
lieue, a measure of length, F. lieue, Pr. lega,
legua, It. & LL. lega, Sp. legua, Pg.
legoa, legua; all fr. LL. leuca, of Celtic
origin: cf. Arm. leo, lev (perh. from French), Ir.
leige (perh. from English); also Ir. & Gael. leac a
flag, a broad, flat stone, W. llech, -- such stones having
perh. served as a sort of milestone (cf. Cromlech).]
1. A measure of length or distance, varying in
different countries from about 2.4 to 4.6 English statute miles of
5,280 feet each, and used (as a land measure) chiefly on the
continent of Europe, and in the Spanish parts of America. The
marine league of England and the United States is equal to
three marine, or geographical, miles of 6080 feet each.
&fist; The English land league is equal to three English statute
miles. The Spanish and French leagues vary in each country according
to usage and the kind of measurement to which they are applied. The
Dutch and German leagues contain about four geographical miles, or
about 4.6 English statute miles.
2. A stone erected near a public road to mark
the distance of a league. [Obs.]
League (?), n. [F. ligue, LL.
liga, fr. L. ligare to bind; cf. Sp. liga. Cf.
Ally a confederate, Ligature.] An alliance or
combination of two or more nations, parties, or persons, for the
accomplishment of a purpose which requires a continued course of
action, as for mutual defense, or for furtherance of commercial,
religious, or political interests, etc.
And let there be
'Twixt us and them no league, nor amity.
Denham.
&fist; A league may be offensive or
defensive, or both; offensive, when the parties agree
to unite in attacking a common enemy; defensive, when they
agree to a mutual defense of each other against an enemy.
The Holy League, an alliance of Roman
Catholics formed in 1576 by influence of the Duke of Guise for the
exclusion of Protestants from the throne of France. --
Solemn League and Covenant. See
Covenant,2. -- The land league, an
association, organized in Dublin in 1879, to promote the interests of
the Irish tenantry, its avowed objects being to secure fixity of
tenure, fair rent, and free sale of the tenants' interest. It was
declared illegal by Parliament, but vigorous prosecutions have failed
to suppress it.
Syn. -- Alliance; confederacy; confederation; coalition;
combination; compact; coöperation.
League (?), v. i. [imp. & p.
p. Leagued (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Leaguing (?).] [Cf. F. se liguer. See 2d
League.] To unite in a league or confederacy; to combine
for mutual support; to confederate. South.
League, v. t. To join in a league;
to cause to combine for a joint purpose; to combine; to unite; as,
common interests will league heterogeneous elements.
