n. 1 (also statute mile) a unit of linear measure equal to 1,760 yards (approx. 1.609 kilometres). 2 hist. a Roman measure of 1,000 paces (approx. 1,620 yards). 3 (in pl.) colloq. a great distance or amount (miles better; beat them by miles). 4 a race extending over a mile.
[ OE mil ult. f. L mil(l)ia pl. of mille thousand (see sense 2) ]