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league1
/leeg/, n., v., leagued, leaguing.n.1. a covenant or compact made between persons, parties, states, etc., for the promotion or maintenance of common interests or for mutual assistance or service.2. the aggregation of persons, parties, states, etc., associated in such a covenant or compact; confederacy.3. an association of individuals having a common goal.4. a group of athletic teams organized to promote mutual interests and to compete chiefly among themselves: a bowling league.5. Sports.a. See major league.b. See minor league.6. group; class; category: As a pianist he just simply isn't in your league.7. in league, working together, often secretly or for a harmful purpose; united.v.t., v.i.8. to unite in a league; combine.[1425-75; earlier leage < It lega, n. deriv. of legare < L ligare to bind; r. late ME ligg < MF ligue < It liga, var. of lega]league2/leeg/, n.1. a unit of distance, varying at different periods and in different countries, in English-speaking countries usually estimated roughly at 3 miles (4.8 kilometers).2. a square league, as a unit of land measure.[1350-1400; ME lege, leuge < LL leuga a Gaulish unit of distance equal to 1.5 Roman miles, appar. < Gaulish; r. OE leowe < LL, as above]
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(as used in expressions)Separatist LeagueAnti Corn Law LeagueLeague of Arab StatesAugsburg League ofCambrai League ofCorinth League ofLeague of the IroquoisAll India Muslim LeagueThree Emperors' LeagueLeague for the Independence of Vietnam* * *
any of several European units of measurement ranging from 2.4 to 4.6 statute miles (3.9 to 7.4 km). In English-speaking countries the land league is generally accepted as 3 statute miles (4.83 km), although varying lengths from 7,500 feet to 15,000 feet (2.29 to 4.57 km) were sometimes employed. An ancient unit derived from the Gauls and introduced into England by the Normans (Norman Conquest), the league was estimated by the Romans to be equal to 1,500 paces—a pace, or passus, in Roman measure being nearly 5 feet (1.5 metres).Land leagues of about 2.63 miles (4.23 km) were used by the Spanish in early surveys of parts of the American Southwest. At one time the term was also used as a unit of area measurement. Old California surveys show square leagues equal to 4,439 acres (acre) (1,796 hectares (hectare)). In the late 18th century the league also came to refer to the distance a cannon shot could be fired at menacing ships offshore. This resulted in the 3-mile offshore territorial limit.* * *
Universalium. 2010.
