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lead dioxide
lead-free
lead glass
lead-in
lead line
lead monoxide
lead off
lead on
lead oxide
lead poisoning
lead replacement petrol
lead screw
lead tetraethyl
lead time
lead-up
lead up to
leaded
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lead (2)

lead [ led ]


noun  (plural leads)
Definition:
 
1. chemical element: a heavy bluish gray metallic element that bends easily. Source: galena, cerussite. Use: car batteries, pipes, solder, radiation shields.
Symbol  Pb


2. graphite in pencil: a long thin stick of graphite used in a pencil for writing or drawing

3. device for measuring depth: a weight on the end of a line used to measure the depth of water

4. weight for fishing line: a lead weight used on a fishing line

5. ammunition for guns: bullets or shot for firearms ( informal )

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



plural noun leads 
Definition:
 
lead strips between glass panes: strips of lead used to hold the small glass panes in place in a decorative window or art object



transitive verb  (past and past participle lead·ed, present participle lead·ing, 3rd person present singular leads)
Definition:
 
1. put lead over something: to cover, fill, or weight something with lead

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

3. secure glass using leads: to hold small panes of glass together with strips of lead

[ Old English lēad< W Germanic]

lead·less adjective
lead·y adjective

Word Usage

See lead1.

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