[f. LEAGUE sb.2 + -ER1.]
1. A member of a league; in reference to Fr. Hist., a member or adherent of the League formed against the Huguenots in the reign of Henry III.; in modern times, a member of the Anti-Corn-Law League, the Irish Land League, etc.
1591. Colynet (title), True History of the Ciuill Warres of France, between the French King Henry 4. and the Leaguers.
1683. Apol. Prot. France, iii. 8. The Liguers … did well to cry, To your Quarters White Scarfs, this is none of your quarrel.
1724. De Foe, Mem. Cavalier (1840), 168. Here was no leaguers in the field, as in the story of Nuremberg.
1729. Tindal, Rapin’s Hist. Eng., IX. XVII. 103, note. After the Death of the Duke of Guise Henry III. was accused by the Leaguers of having caused the Queen of Scots to be put to Death.
1844. Cobden, Speech, 11 Dec., Speeches 1870, I. 229. One Leaguer in Manchester who has given more money … than [etc.].
1864. Sala, in Daily Tel., 23 Aug., 5/1. This last dirty move of the Loyal Leaguers to spite the Copperheads in view of the Chicago Convention had fallen flat.
1880. [see LANDLEAGUER].
1892. H. Le Caron, 25 Years Secret Service (1893), 180–1. O’Rorke and Andrew Kettle, both Leaguers.
b. attrib., as leaguer-town.
1591. Art. conc. Admiralty, 21 July, § 51. All those, that … haue had trafficke with the Leaguers in France, or shipped … any victuals … for Spaine, the Islands, or any leaguer towne in Fraunce.
1647. May, Hist. Parl., II. v. 93. Sir John Meldrum arrived suddenly at a Leaguer-town called Aulby.
† 2. ? A term of reproach. ? nonce-use.
1615. Chapman, Odyss., XVII. 285. This same victles Leager, This bane of banquets; this most nasty begger.
