- League
- 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.
[1913 Webster]
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. [1913 Webster]
2. A stone erected near a public road to mark the distance of a league. [Obs.] [1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.
