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.
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.
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.
Lea"guer, n. [D. leger camp, bed, couch, lair. See Lair, and
cf.Beleaguer.] 1. The camp of a besieging army; a camp in general. b.
Jonson.