n.
Function: noun
Date: 15th century
1 a (1) : LEADERSHIP (2) : EXAMPLE , PRECEDENT b (1) : position at the front : VANGUARD (2) : INITIATIVE (3) : the act or privilege of leading in cards also : the card or suit led c : a margin or measure of advantage or superiority or position in advance
2 : one that leads: as a : LODE 2 b : a channel of water especially through a field of ice c : INDICATION , CLUE d : a principal role in a dramatic production also : one who plays such a role e : LEASH 1 f (1) : an introductory section of a news story (2) : a news story of chief importance
3 : an insulated electrical conductor connected to an electrical device
4 : the course of a rope from end to end
5 : the amount of axial advance of a point accompanying a complete turn of a thread (as of a screw or worm)
6 : a position taken by a base runner off a base toward the next
7 : the first punch of a series or an exchange of punches in boxing
– lead · less \ -l ə s \ adjective