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Webster 1913 Edition

League

League

(lēg)
,
Noun.
[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

(lēg)
,
Noun.
[F.
ligue
, LL.
liga
, fr. L.
ligare
to bind; cf. Sp.
liga
. Cf.
Ally
a confederate,
Ligature
.]
1.
An alliance or combination of two or more nations, parties, organizations, 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.
Syn. – Alliance; confederacy; confederation; coalition; combination; compact; cooperation.

League

,
Verb.
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

,
Verb.
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
.

Webster 1828 Edition

League

LEAGUE

,
Noun.
leeg. [L. ligo, to bind.]
1.
An alliance or confederacy between princes or states for their mutual aid or defense; a national contract or compact. A league may be offensive or defensive, or both. It is offensive, when the contracting parties agree to unite in attacking a common enemy; defensive, when the parties agree to act in concert in defending each other against an enemy.
2.
A combination or union of two or more parties for the purpose of maintaining friendship and promoting their mutual interest, or for executing any design in concert.
And let there be 'twixt us and them no league, nor amity.

LEAGUE

,
Verb.
I.
leeg.
1.
To unite, as princes or states in a contract of amity for mutual aid or defense; to confederate. Russia and Austria leagued to oppose the ambition of Buonaparte.
2.
To unite or confederate, as private persons for mutual aid.

LEAGUE

,
Noun.
leeg. [Low L. leuca.]
1.
Originally, a stone erected on the public roads, at certain distances, in the manner of the modern mile-stones. Hence,
2.
The distance between two stones. With the English and Americans, a league is the length of three miles; but this measure is chiefly at sea. The league on the continent of Europe, is very different among different nations. The Dutch and German league contains four geographical miles.

Definition 2024

league

league

English

Noun

league ‎(plural leagues)

  1. A group or association of cooperating members.
    the League of Nations
    • Denham
      And let there be / 'Twixt us and them no league, nor amity.
  2. An organization of sports teams which play against one another for a championship.
    My favorite sports organizations are the National Football League and the American League in baseball.
  3. (informal) Rugby league.
    Are you going to watch the league tonight?
Derived terms
Translations

Verb

league ‎(third-person singular simple present leagues, present participle leaguing, simple past and past participle leagued)

  1. To form an association; to unite in a league or confederacy; to combine for mutual support.
    (Can we find and add a quotation of South to this entry?)
Translations

Etymology 2

From Late Latin leuga, possibly from Gaulish.

Noun

league ‎(plural leagues)

  1. (measurement) The distance that a person can walk in one hour, commonly taken to be approximately three English miles (about five kilometers).
    • M. Le Page Du Pratz, History of Louisiana (PG), p. 47
      Seven leagues above the mouth of the river we meet with two other passes, as large as the middle one by which we entered.
  2. A stone erected near a public road to mark the distance of a league.
Translations

References

  • Online Etymology, league
  • Middle English Dictionary, lege

Etymology

From Middle English ligg, from Middle French ligue, from Italian lega, from the verb legare, from Latin ligō ‎(“to tie”).

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /liːɡ/
  • Rhymes: -iːɡ

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