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The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 (gcide)

League \League\ (l[=e]g), 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.
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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.
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2. A stone erected near a public road to mark the distance of
a league. [Obs.]
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League \League\ (l[=e]g), n. [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.
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And let there be
'Twixt us and them no league, nor amity. --Denham.
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2. Specifically: (Sports) An association of sports teams that
establishes rules of play, decides questions of membership
in the league, and organizes matches between the member
teams. In some cases a sports league is called a
{conference}, as in the {National Football Conference}.
[PJC]

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.
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{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; cooperation.
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League \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.
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League \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.
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