Dictionary

A heavy, pliable, inelastic metal element, having a bright, bluish color, but easily tarnished; both malleable and ductile, though with little tenacity. It is easily fusible, forms alloys with other metals, and is an ingredient of solder and type metal. Atomic number 82, symbol Pb (from Latin plumbum).

A plummet or mass of lead attached to a line, used in sounding depth at sea or to estimate velocity in knots.

A thin strip of type metal, used to separate lines of type in printing.

Vertical space in advance of a row or between rows of text. Also known as leading.

Example: This copy has too much lead; I prefer less space between the lines.

To cover, fill, or affect with lead

Example: continuous firing leads the grooves of a rifle.

To place leads between the lines of.

Example: leaded matter

The act of leading or conducting; guidance; direction, course

Example: to be under the lead of another

Precedence; advance position; also, the measure of precedence; the state of being ahead in a race; the highest score in a game in an incomplete game.

Example: She lost the lead.

An insulated metallic wire for electrical devices and equipment.

The situation where a runner steps away from a base while waiting for the pitch to be thrown.

Example: The runner took his lead from first.

(heading) To guide or conduct.

To guide or conduct, as by accompanying, going before, showing, influencing, directing with authority, etc.; to have precedence or preeminence; to be first or chief; — used in most of the senses of the transitive verb.

(heading) To begin, to be ahead.

To draw or direct by influence, whether good or bad; to prevail on; to induce; to entice; to allure

Example: to lead someone to a righteous cause