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.
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 (?), 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 (?), 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.]
Hear it pronounced