I. ˈlēdiŋ, -dēŋ noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English leding, from gerund of leden to lead, conduct
1.
a. : the act or an instance of conducting from one place to another
proposed a leading of the excess water to arid lands
b.
(1) : the act or an instance of commanding or directing : command , leadership
entrusted the leading of the army to the earl
(2) archaic : the ability to lead or command : authority
men of great leading and property in the state
2. : capacity to enlighten : guidance , enlightenment — usually used in the phrase men of light and leading
commissioned six men of light and leading to settle the … question — Ernest Weekley
II. ˈlē- adjective
Etymology: from present participle of lead (I)
1.
a. : preceding others in order of march or other movement : coming first
the leading boat was destroyed before it had a chance to fire
b. : ranking first or among the first in regard to influence, importance, or popularity
a leading topic of conversation
the leading ski center in this area
among the leading infectious diseases
a leading item in all the stores
played a leading part in the settlement of the colony
c. : exercising leadership in some area : accorded or meriting prominence as a leader
a leading citizen of the town
a leading exponent of the dance
married into one of the leading pastoral families — E.H.Collis
a leading literary critic
d. : guiding , directing
a leading thread in American foreign policy
what are his leading motives
e. : given prominent or most prominent display
the leading story in this morning's paper
a leading editorial
2. : being in advance during normal rotation or motion — used especially of an edge or side of a mechanical part
3. : ranking immediately below a petty or noncommissioned officer in the British armed forces
leading seaman
leading signalman
leading aircraftsman
Synonyms: see chief
III. ˈlediŋ, -dēŋ noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English leeding action of covering or lining with lead, from gerund of leden, leeden to lead, cover or line with lead
: a covering or framework of lead : leadwork
the leading of a Tudor window