LEAGUES
Noun
leagues
plural of league
Verb
leagues
Third-person singular simple present indicative form of league
Proper noun
Leagues
plural of League
Source: Wiktionary
LEAGUE
League, n. Etym: [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.
Note: 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. Etym: [F.ligue, LL. liga, fr. L. ligare to bind; cf. Sp.
liga. Cf. Ally a confederate, Ligature.]
Definition: 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.
Note: 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.] Etym:
[Cf. F. se liguer. See 2d League.]
Definition: To unite in a league or confederacy; to combine for mutual
support; to confederate South.
League, v. t.
Definition: To join in a league; to cause to combine for a joint purpose;
to combine; to unite; as, common interests will league heterogeneous
elements.
Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition