Leading word meaning and definition

[noun] the activity of leading; "his leadership inspired the team"
[noun] thin strip of metal used to separate lines of type in printing
[adjective] going or proceeding or going in advance; showing the way; "we rode in the leading car"; "the leading edge of technology"
[adjective] purposefully formulated to elicit a desired response; "a leading question"
[adjective] having the leading position or higher score in a contest; "he is ahead by a pawn"; "the leading team in the pennant race"

\Lead"ing\, a. Guiding; directing; controlling; foremost; as, a leading motive; a leading man; a leading example. -- {Lead"ing*ly}, adv. {Leading case} (Law), a reported decision which has come to be regarded as settling the law of the question involved. --Abbott. {Leading motive} [a translation of G. leitmotif] (Mus.), a guiding theme; in the modern music drama of Wagner, a marked melodic phrase or short passage which always accompanies the reappearance of a certain person, situation, abstract idea, or allusion in the course of the play; a sort of musical label. {Leading note} (Mus.), the seventh note or tone in the ascending major scale; the sensible note. {Leading question}, a question so framed as to guide the person questioned in making his reply. {Leading strings}, strings by which children are supported when beginning to walk. {To be in leading strings}, to be in a state of infancy or dependence, or under the guidance of others. {Leading wheel}, a wheel situated before the driving wheels of a locomotive engine.
\Lead"ing\, n. 1. The act of guiding, directing, governing, or enticing; guidance. --Shak. 2. Suggestion; hint; example. [Archaic] --Bacon.

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