an advantage held by a competitor in a race; he took the lead at the last turn'
an indication of potential opportunity; he got a tip on the stock market; a good lead for a job
[ Syn: tip , steer , confidential information , wind , hint ]
a news story of major importance
[ Syn: lead story ]
the timing of ignition relative to the position of the piston in an internal-combustion engine
[ Syn: spark advance ]
restraint consisting of a rope (or light chain) used to restrain an animal
thin strip of metal used to separate lines of type in printing
[ Syn: leading ]
mixture of graphite with clay in different degrees of hardness; the marking substance in a pencil
[ Syn: pencil lead ]
a jumper that consists of a short piece of wire; it was a tangle of jumper cables and clip leads
[ Syn: jumper cable , jumper cable , jumper lead , jumper lead , booster cable , booster cable ]
the playing of a card to start a trick in bridge; the lead was in the dummy'
a soft heavy toxic malleable metallic element; bluish white when freshly cut but tarnishes readily to dull grey; the children were playing with lead soldiers
[ Syn: pb , atomic number 82 ]
evidence pointing to a possible solution; the police are following a promising lead; the trail led straight to the perpetrator
a position of leadership (especially in the phrase `take the lead'); he takes the lead in any group; we were just waiting for someone to take the lead; they didn't follow our lead'
the angle between the direction a gun is aimed and the position of a moving target (correcting for the flight time of the missile)
the introductory section of a story; it was an amusing lead-in to a very serious matter
(sports) the score by which a team or individual is winning
an actor who plays a principal role
(baseball) the position taken by a base runner preparing to advance to the next base; he took a long lead off first'
lead (n.)
take somebody somewhere; We lead him to our chief; can you take me to the main entrance?; He conducted us to the palace
lead, as in the performance of a composition; conduct an orchestra; Barenboim conducted the Chicago symphony for years
lead, extend, or afford access; This door goes to the basement; The road runs South
[ Syn: go ]
move ahead (of others) in time or space
[ Syn: precede ]
cause something to pass or lead somewhere; Run the wire behind the cabinet
[ Syn: run ]
preside over; John moderated the discussion
have as a result or residue; The water left a mark on the silk dress; Her blood left a stain on the napkin
tend to or result in; This remark lead to further arguments among the guests'
travel in front of; go in advance of others; The procession was headed by John
[ Syn: head ]
cause to undertake a certain action; Her greed led her to forge the checks'
stretch out over a distance, space, time, or scope; run or extend between two points or beyond a certain point; Service runs all the way to Cranbury; His knowledge doesnt go very far; My memory extends back to my fourth year of life; The facts extend beyond a consideration of her personal assets
be in charge of; Who is heading this project?
[ Syn: head ]
be ahead of others; be the first; she topped her class every year
[ Syn: top ]
be conducive to; The use of computers in the classroom lead to better writing
[ Syn: contribute , conduce ]