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.
Etymology: OE mil ult. f. L mil(l)ia pl. of mille thousand (see sense 2)