[lead.er] n (14c) 1: something that leads: as a: a primary or terminal shoot of a plant b: tendon, sinew c pl: dots or hyphens (as in an index) used to lead the eye horizontally: ellipsis
2. d chiefly Brit: a newspaper editorial e (1): something for guiding fish into a trap (2): a short length of material for attaching the end of a fishing line to a lure or hook f: loss leader g: something that ranks first h: a blank section at the beginning or end of a reel of film or recorded tape
2: a person who leads: as a: guide, conductor b (1): a person who directs a military force or unit (2): a person who has commanding authority or influence c (1): the principal officer of a British political party (2): a party member chosen to manage party activities in a legislative body (3): such a party member presiding over the whole legislative body when the party constitutes a majority d (1): conductor c (2): a first or principal performer of a group
3: a horse placed in advance of the other horses of a team -- lead.er.less adj