Search the Dictionary

n by motion or effort; to obtain; to reach; to come to. [Archaic] The forest is not three leagues off; If we recover that, we're sure enough. Shak. Except he could recover one of the Cities of Refuge he was to die. Hales.

s.] Shak. All Europe high (all sorts of rights reneged) Against the trith and thee unholy leagued. Sylvester.

to avoid the performance of duty, as by running away. One of the cities shirked from the league. Byron.

th all legal requirements; as, probate in solemn form. Burrill. Jarman. Greenleaf. Solemn League and Covenant. See Covenant, 2.

Considerable in number or quality. "Bore us some leagues to sea." Shak. On its outer point, some miles away. The lighthouse lifts its massive masonry. Longfellow.

Free from danger; safe; secure. Fear not; the forest is not three leagues off; If we recover that we are sure enough. Shak. -- To be sure, or Be sure, certainly; without doubt; as, Shall you do To be sure I shall. -- To make sure. (a) To make certain; to secure so that there can be no failure of the purpose or object.…

A political union, confederation, or league. [R.] Burke.

An agreement so made; specifically, an agreement, league, or contract between two or more nations or sovereigns, formally signed by commissioners properly authorized, and solemnly ratified by the several sovereigns, or the supreme power of each state; an agreement between two or more independent states; as, a treaty of…

Not having joined in a league, or assented to a covenant or agreement, as to the Solemn League and Covenant of the Scottish people in the times of the Stuarts. In Scotland a few fanatical nonjurors may have grudged their allegiance to an uncovenanted king. Sir T. E. May.

y a combination or coalition of parts or members; a confederation; a consolidated body; a league; as, the weavers have formed a union; trades unions have become very numerous; the United States of America are often called the Union. A. Hamilton.

limits of the land; the utmost extent of human knowledge. Spenser. We coasted within two leagues of Antibes, which is the utmost town in France. Evelyn. Betwixt two thieves I spend my utmost breath. Herbert.

conditions, as in regard to treatment of employees; as, the white list of the Consumers' League. [Cant]

estrain; to keep from action. Withhold, O sovereign prince, your hasty hand From knitting league with him. Spenser.