Hypertext Webster Gateway: "League"
From Easton's 1897 Bible Dictionary (easton)
League
a treaty or confederacy. The Jews were forbidden to enter into
an alliance of any kind (1) with the Canaanites (Ex. 23:32, 33;
34:12-16); (2) with the Amalekites (Ex. 17:8, 14; Deut.
25:17-19); (3) with the Moabites and Ammonites (Deut. 2:9, 19).
Treaties were permitted to be entered into with all other
nations. Thus David maintained friendly intercourse with the
kings of Tyre and Hamath, and Solomon with the kings of Tyre and
Egypt.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
League \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.
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.]
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
League \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.
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; co["o]peration.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
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.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
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.
From WordNet (r) 1.7 (wn)
league
n 1: an association of sports teams that organizes matches for
its members [syn: {conference}]
2: an association of states or organizations or individuals for
common action
3: an obsolete unit of distance of variable length (usually 3
miles)
v : unite to form a league
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