League | Webster's Dictionary (1865)

Lēague, n.

noun

(leeg), n. [Fr. ligue, Sp. & L. Lat. liga, It. lega, from Lat. ligare, to bind.] 1. 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. Denham. 2. 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; 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; coalition; combination; compact.

Lēague, v. i.

verbintransitive

(leeg), v. i. [imp. & p. p. LEAGUED; p. pr. & vb. n. LEAGUING.] To unite in a league or confederacy; to combine for mutual support; to confederate.

Lēague, n.

noun

(leeg), n. [O. Eng. leage, It. lega, Pr. lega, legua, Sp. legua, Pg. legoa, legua, Fr. lieue, L. Lat. lega, leuga, leuca, lewa, levia, Gr. λείχη, of Celtic origin, from Ir. leac, Gael. leac, leachd, W. llech, a flag, a broad, flat stone.]

A stone erected on the public roads, at certain distances, in the manner of the modern mile-stones. [Obs.]
A measure of length or distance, equal, in England and the United States, to three geographical miles;—used 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.