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| lead [ led ] |
noun (plural leads) |
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| Definition: |
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1. chemical element: a heavy bluish gray metallic element that bends easily. Source: galena, cerussite. Use: car batteries, pipes, solder, radiation shields. Symbol Pb
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2. graphite in pencil: a long thin stick of graphite used in a pencil for writing or drawing
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3. device for measuring depth: a weight on the end of a line used to measure the depth of water
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4. weight for fishing line: a lead weight used on a fishing line
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5. ammunition for guns: bullets or shot for firearms
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informal
)
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6. strip between lines of type: in traditional hot-metal printing, a thin strip of metal between lines of type that creates the space between lines on the printed page
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plural noun leads |
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| Definition: |
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lead strips between glass panes: strips of lead used to hold the small glass panes in place in a decorative window or art object
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transitive verb (past and past participle lead·ed, present participle lead·ing, 3rd person present singular leads) |
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| Definition: |
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1. put lead over something: to cover, fill, or weight something with lead
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2. insert strip between lines of type: to put a thin strip of metal between lines of type to create a space on the printed page
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3. secure glass using leads: to hold small panes of glass together with strips of lead
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| [ Old English lēad< W Germanic] |
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 lead·less adjective |
 lead·y adjective |
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