Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Leading
Lead′ing
,Adj.
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 musical 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. Also called
– leitmotif
or leitmotiv
. 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
,Noun.
1.
The act of guiding, directing, governing, or enticing; guidance.
Shak.
2.
Suggestion; hint; example.
[Archaic]
Bacon.
Webster 1828 Edition
Leading
LE'ADING
, ppr.1.
Guiding; conducting; preceding; drawing; alluring; passing life.2.
a. Chief; principal; capital; most influential; as a leading motive; a leading man in a party.3.
showing the way by going first.He left his mother a countess by patent, which was a new leading example.
LE'ADING
,Noun.