from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
League \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 requires a continued course of action,
as for mutual defense, or for furtherance of commercial,
religious, or political interests, etc.
[1913 Webster]
And let there be
'Twixt us and them no league, nor amity. --Denham.
[1913 Webster]
2. Specifically: (Sports) An association of sports teams that
establishes rules of play, decides questions of membership
in the league, and organizes matches between the member
teams. In some cases a sports league is called a
{conference}, as in the {National Football Conference}.
[PJC]
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.
[1913 Webster]
{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; cooperation.
[1913 Webster]