I. ˈlēd verb
( led ˈled ; lead·ing )
Etymology: Middle English leden, from Old English lǣdan; akin to Old High German leiten to lead, Old English līthan to go
Date: before 12th century
transitive verb
1.
a. : to guide on a way especially by going in advance
b. : to direct on a course or in a direction
c. : to serve as a channel for
a pipe lead s water to the house
2. : to go through : live
lead a quiet life
3.
a.
(1) : to direct the operations, activity, or performance of
lead an orchestra
(2) : to have charge of
lead a campaign
(3) : to suggest to (a witness) the answer desired by asking leading questions
b.
(1) : to go at the head of
lead a parade
(2) : to be first in or among
lead the league
(3) : to have a margin over
led his opponent
4. : to bring to some conclusion or condition
led to believe otherwise
5. : to begin play with
lead trumps
6.
a. : to aim in front of (a moving object)
lead a duck
b. : to pass a ball or puck just in front of (a moving teammate)
intransitive verb
1.
a. : to guide someone or something along a way
b. : to lie, run, or open in a specified place or direction
path lead s uphill
c. : to guide a dance partner through the steps of a dance
2.
a. : to be first
b.
(1) : begin , open
(2) : to play the first card of a trick, round, or game
3. : to tend toward or have a result
study lead ing to a degree
4. : to direct the first of a series of blows at an opponent in boxing
Synonyms: see guide
•
- lead one down the garden path
II. 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 -ləs adjective
III. adjective
Date: 1828
: acting or serving as a lead or leader
a lead article
IV. ˈled noun
Usage: often attributive
Etymology: Middle English leed, from Old English lēad; akin to Middle High German lōt lead
Date: before 12th century
1. : a bluish-white soft malleable ductile plastic but inelastic heavy metallic element found mostly in combination and used especially in pipes, cable sheaths, batteries, solder, and shields against radioactivity — see element table
2.
a. : a plummet for sounding at sea
b. plural , British : a usually flat lead roof
c. plural : lead framing for panes in windows
d. : a thin strip of metal used to separate lines of type in printing
3.
a. : a thin stick of marking substance (as graphite) in or for a pencil
b. : white lead
4. : bullets, projectiles
5. : tetraethyl lead
• lead·less -ləs adjective
V. ˈled transitive verb
Date: 14th century
1. : to cover, line, or weight with lead
2. : to fix (window glass) in position with leads
3. : to put space between the lines of (typeset matter)
4. : to treat or mix with lead or a lead compound
lead ed gasoline