league

league
{{11}}league (n.1) "alliance," mid-15c., ligg, from M.Fr. ligue "confederacy, league" (15c.), from It. lega, from legare "to tie, to bind," from L. ligare "to bind" (see LIGAMENT (Cf. ligament)). Originally among nations, subsequently extended to political associations (1846) and sports associations (1879). League of Nations first attested 1917 (created 1919).
{{12}}league (n.2) distance of about three miles, late 14c., ultimately from L.L. leuga (Cf. Fr. lieue, Sp. legua, It. lega), said by Roman writers to be from Gaulish. A vague measure (perhaps originally an hour's hike) never in official use in England, where it is recorded more often in poetic than in practical writing.
{{12}}league (v.) "to form a league," 1610s, from LEAGUE (Cf. league) (n.1). Related: Leagued; leaguing.

Etymology dictionary. 2014.

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  • League — may refer to: League (unit), obsolete unit of length of an hour s walk, usually equal to three miles Roman league, one of the ancient Roman units of measurement, approximately 1.5 miles Rugby league a full contact football code National Rugby… …   Wikipedia

  • league — W2 [li:g] n [Sense: 1 5; Date: 1400 1500; : French; Origin: ligue agreement to act together , from Old Italian liga, from ligare to tie ] [Sense: 6; Date: 1300 1400; : Late Latin; Origin: leuga] 1.) a group of sp …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • 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… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • league — Ⅰ. league [1] ► NOUN 1) a collection of people, countries, or groups that combine for mutual protection or cooperation. 2) a group of sports clubs which play each other over a period for a championship. 3) a class of quality or excellence: the… …   English terms dictionary

  • 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.… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • 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. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • 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. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • league — [n1] association, federation alliance, band, bunch, circle, circuit, club, coalition, combination, combine, compact, company, confederacy, confederation, conference, consortium, crew, gang, group, guild, loop, mob, order, organization, outfit,… …   New thesaurus

  • league — league1 [lēg] n. [ME ligg < OFr ligue < It liga < legare, to bind < L ligare: see LIGATURE] 1. a compact or covenant made by nations, groups, or individuals for promoting common interests, assuring mutual protection, etc. 2. an… …   English World dictionary

  • League — (spr. Libk), 3 englische Seemeilen (Sea Miles) = 0,75 deutsche Meile; also der 20. Theil eines Äquatorialgrades …   Pierer's Universal-Lexikon

  • League — (spr. līgh), engl. und nordamerikan. Wegemaß zu 3 Miles; dann auch soviel wie Liga, Bund …   Meyers Großes Konversations-Lexikon

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