n.
Pronunciation: ' fer- ˌ l ē d
Function: noun
Date: circa 1841
1 also fair · lead · er \ - ˌ l ē -d ə r \ : a block, ring, or strip of plank with holes that serves as a guide for the running rigging or any ship's rope and keeps it from chafing
2 : a course of running ship's rope that avoids all chafing