Chapter 888

Lead"er (?) , n. 1. One who, or that which, leads or conducts; a guide; a conductor . Especially: (a) One who goes first. (b) One having authority to direct; a chief; a commander. (c) (Mus.) A performer who leads a band or choir in music; also, in an orchestra, the principal violinist; the one who plays at the head of the first violins. (d) (Naut.) A block of hard wood pierced with suitable holes for leading ropes in their proper places. (e) (Mach.) The principal wheel in any kind of machinery. [Obs. or R.] G. Francis . (f) A horse placed in advance of others; one of the forward pair of horses.

He forgot to pull in his leaders , and they gallop away with him at times. Hare.

(g) A pipe for conducting rain water from a roof to a cistern or to the ground; a conductor . (h) (Fishing) A net for leading fish into a pound, weir, etc. ; also, a line of gut, to which the snell of a fly hook is attached. (i) (Mining) A branch or small vein, not important in itself, but indicating the proximity of a better one .

2. The first, or the principal, editorial article in a newspaper; a leading or main editorial article.

3. (Print.) (a) A type having a dot or short row of dots upon its face. (b) pl. a row of dots, periods, or hyphens, used in tables of contents, etc., to lead the eye across a space to the right word or number.

Syn. -- chief; chieftain; commander. See Chief .

Leadership <Xpage=837>

Lead"er*ship (?) , n. The office of a leader.

Leadhillite <Xpage=837>

Lead"hill*ite (?) , n. (Min.) A mineral of a yellowish or greenish white color, consisting of the sulphate and carbonate of lead; -- so called from having been first found at Leadhills , Scotland.

Leading <Xpage=837>

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.

Leading <Xpage=837>

Lead"ing , n. 1. The act of guiding, directing, governing, or enticing; guidance.

Shak.

2. Suggestion; hint; example. [Archaic]

Bacon.

Leadman <Xpage=837>

Lead"man (?) , n. ; pl. Leadmen (<?/) . One who leads a dance. [Obs.]

B. Jonson.

Leadsman <Xpage=837>

Leads"man (?) , n. ; pl. Leadsmen (<?/) . (Naut.) The man who heaves the lead.

Totten.

Leadwort <Xpage=837>

Lead"wort` (?) , n. (Bot.) A genus of maritime herbs ( Plumbago ). P. Europ\'91a has lead-colored spots on the leaves, and nearly lead-colored flowers.

Leady <Xpage=837>

Lead"y (?) , a. Resembling lead.

Sir T. Elyot.

Leaf <Xpage=837>

Leaf (?) , n. ; pl. Leaves (#) . [OE. leef , lef , leaf , AS. le\'a0f ; akin to S. l<?/f , OFries. laf , D. loof foliage, G. laub ,OHG. loub leaf, foliage, Icel. lauf , Sw. l\'94f , Dan. l\'94v , Goth. laufs ; cf. Lith. lapas . Cf. Lodge .] 1. (Bot.) A colored, usually green, expansion growing from the side of a stem or rootstock, in which the sap for the use of the plant is elaborated under the influence of light; one of the parts of a plant which collectively constitute its foliage.

&hand; Such leaves usually consist of a blade, or lamina , supported upon a leafstalk or petiole , which, continued through the blade as the midrib , gives off woody ribs and veins that support the cellular texture. The petiole has usually some sort of an appendage on each side of its base, which is called the stipule . The green parenchyma of the leaf is covered with a thin epiderm pierced with closable microscopic openings, known as stomata .

2. (Bot.) A special organ of vegetation in the form of a lateral outgrowth from the stem, whether appearing as a part of the foliage, or as a cotyledon, a scale, a bract, a spine, or a tendril.

&hand; In this view every part of a plant, except the root and the stem, is either a leaf, or is composed of leaves more or less modified and transformed.

3. Something which is like a leaf in being wide and thin and having a flat surface, or in being attached to a larger body by one edge or end; as : (a) A part of a book or folded sheet containing two pages upon its opposite sides. (b) A side, division, or part, that slides or is hinged, as of window shutters, folding doors, etc. (c) The movable side of a table. (d) A very thin plate; as, gold leaf . (e) A portion of fat lying in a separate fold or layer. (f) One of the teeth of a pinion, especially when small.

Leaf beetle (Zo\'94l.) , any beetle which feeds upon leaves; esp., any species of the family Chrysomelid\'91 , as the potato beetle and helmet beetle. -- Leaf bridge , a draw-bridge having a platform or leaf which swings vertically on hinges. -- Leaf bud (Bot.) , a bud which develops into leaves or a leafy branch. -- Leaf butterfly (Zo\'94l.) , any butterfly which, in the form and colors of its wings, resembles the leaves of plants upon which it rests; esp., butterflies of the genus Kallima , found in Southern Asia and the East Indies. -- Leaf crumpler (Zo\'94l.) , a small moth ( Phycis indigenella ), the larva of which feeds upon leaves of the apple tree, and forms its nest by crumpling and fastening leaves together in clusters. -- Leaf cutter (Zo\'94l.) , any one of various species of wild bees of the genus Megachile , which cut rounded pieces from the edges of leaves, or the petals of flowers, to be used in the construction of their nests, which are made in holes and crevices, or in a leaf rolled up for the purpose. Among the common American species are M. brevis and M. centuncularis . Called also rose-cutting bee . -- Leaf fat , the fat which lies in leaves or layers within the body of an animal. -- Leaf flea (Zo\'94l.) , a jumping plant louse of the family Psyllid\'91 . -- Leaf frog (Zo\'94l.) , any tree frog of the genus Phyllomedusa . -- Leaf green . (Bot.) See Chlorophyll . -- Leaf hopper (Zo\'94l.) , any small jumping hemipterous insect of the genus Tettigonia , and allied genera. They live upon the leaves and twigs of plants. See Live hopper . -- Leaf insect (Zo\'94l.) , any one of several genera and species of orthopterous insects, esp. of the genus Phyllium , in which the wings, and sometimes the legs, resemble leaves in color and form. They are common in Southern Asia and the East Indies. -- Leaf lard , lard from leaf fat. See under Lard . -- Leaf louse (Zo\'94l.) , an aphid. -- Leaf metal , metal in thin leaves, as gold, silver, or tin. -- Leaf miner (Zo\'94l.) , any one of various small lepidopterous and dipterous insects, which, in the larval stages, burrow in and eat the parenchyma of leaves; as, the pear-tree leaf miner ( Lithocolletis geminatella ) . -- Leaf notcher (Zo\'94l.) , a pale bluish green beetle ( Artipus Floridanus ), which, in Florida, eats the edges of the leaves of orange trees. -- Leaf roller (Zo\'94l.) , the larva of any tortricid moth which makes a nest by rolling up the leaves of plants. See Tortrix . -- Leaf scar (Bot.) , the cicatrix on a stem whence a leaf has fallen. -- Leaf sewer (Zo\'94l.) , a tortricid moth, whose caterpillar makes a nest by rolling up a leaf and fastening the edges together with silk, as if sewn; esp., Phoxopteris nubeculana , which feeds upon the apple tree. -- Leaf sight , a hinges sight on a firearm, which can be raised or folded down. -- Leaf trace (Bot.) , one or more fibrovascular bundles, which may be traced down an endogenous stem from the base of a leaf. -- Leaf tier (Zo\'94l.) , a tortricid moth whose larva makes a nest by fastening the edges of a leaf together with silk; esp., Teras cinderella , found on the apple tree. -- Leaf valve , a valve which moves on a hinge. -- Leaf wasp (Zo\'94l.) , a sawfiy. -- To turn over a new leaf , to make a radical change for the better in one's way of living or doing. [Colloq.]

They were both determined to turn over a new leaf . Richardson.

<page="838"> Page 838

Leaf <Xpage=838>

Leaf (?) , v. i. [ imp. & p. p. Leafed (?) ; p. pr. & vb. n. Leafing .] To shoot out leaves; to produce leaves; to leave; as, the trees leaf in May . <-- = leaf out -->

Sir T. Browne.

Leafage <Xpage=838>

Leaf"age (?) , n. Leaves, collectively; foliage.

Leafcup <Xpage=838>

Leaf"cup` (?) , n. (Bot.) A coarse American composite weed ( Polymnia Uvedalia ).

Leafed <Xpage=838>

Leafed (?) , a. Having (such) a leaf or (so many) leaves; -- used in composition; as, broad -leafed ; four -leafed .

Leafet <Xpage=838>

Leaf"et (?) , n. (Bot.) A leaflet.

Leaf-footed <Xpage=838>

Leaf"-foot`ed (?) , a. (Zo\'94l.) Having leaflike expansions on the legs; -- said of certain insects; as, the leaf-footed bug ( Leptoglossus phyllopus ) .

Leafiness <Xpage=838>

Leaf"i*ness (?) , n. The state of being leafy.

Leafless <Xpage=838>

Leaf"less , a. Having no leaves or foliage; bearing no foliage. " Leafless groves." Cowper . -- Leaf"less*ness , n.

Leafless plants , plants having no foliage, though leaves may be present in the form of scales and bracts. See Leaf , n. , 1 and 2.

Leaflet <Xpage=838>

Leaf"let (?) , n. 1. A little leaf; also, a little printed leaf or a tract.

2. (Bot.) One of the divisions of a compound leaf; a foliole.

3. (Zo\'94l.) A leaflike organ or part; as, a leaflet of the gills of fishes .

Leaf-nosed <Xpage=838>

Leaf"-nosed` (?) , n. (Zo\'94l.) Having a leaflike membrane on the nose; -- said of certain bats, esp. of the genera Phyllostoma and Rhinonycteris . See Vampire .

Leafstalk <Xpage=838>

Leaf"stalk` (?) , n. (Bot.) The stalk or petiole which supports a leaf.

Leafy <Xpage=838>

Leaf"y (?) , a. [ Compar. Leafier (?) ; superl . Leafiest .] 1. Full of leaves; abounding in leaves; as, the leafy forest . "The leafy month of June."

Coleridge.

2. Consisting of leaves. "A leafy bed."

Byron.

League <Xpage=838>

League (?) , n. [Cf. OE. legue , lieue , a measure of length, F. lieue , Pr. lega , legua , It. & LL. lega , Sp. legua , Pg. legoa , legua ; all fr. LL. leuca , of Celtic origin: cf. Arm. leo , lev (perh. from French), Ir. leige (perh. from English); also Ir. & Gael. leac a flag, a broad, flat stone, W. llech , -- such stones having perh. served as a sort of milestone (cf. Cromlech ).] 1. A measure of length or distance, varying in different countries from about 2.4 to 4.6 English statute miles of 5.280 feet each, and used (as a land measure) chiefly on the continent of Europe, and in the Spanish parts of America. The marine league of England and the United States is equal to three marine, or geographical, miles of 6080 feet each.

&hand; The English land league is equal to three English statute miles. The Spanish and French leagues vary in each country according to usage and the kind of measurement to which they are applied. The Dutch and German leagues contain about four geographical miles, or about 4.6 English statute miles.

2. A stone erected near a public road to mark the distance of a league. [Obs.]

League <Xpage=838>

League (?) , n. [F. ligue , LL. liga , fr. L. ligare to bind; cf. Sp. liga . Cf. Ally a confederate, Ligature .] An alliance or combination of two or more nations, parties, or persons, for the accomplishment of a purpose which requires a continued course of action, as for mutual defense, or for furtherance of commercial, religious, or political interests, etc.

And let there be 'Twixt us and them no league , nor amity. Denham.

&hand; A league may be offensive or defensive , or both; offensive , when the parties agree to unite in attacking a common enemy; defensive , when they agree to a mutual defense of each other against an enemy.

The Holy League , an alliance of Roman Catholics formed in 1576 by influence of the Duke of Guise for the exclusion of Protestants from the throne of France. -- Solemn League and Covenant . See Covenant ,2. -- The land league , an association, organized in Dublin in 1879, to promote the interests of the Irish tenantry, its avowed objects being to secure fixity of tenure fair rent, and free sale of the tenants' interest. It was declared illegal by Parliament, but vigorous prosecutions have failed to suppress it.

Syn. -- Alliance; confederacy; confederation; coalition; combination; compact; co\'94peration.

League <Xpage=838>

League (?) , v. i. [ imp. & p. p. Leagued (?) ; p. pr. & vb. n. Leaguing (?) .] [Cf. F. se liguer . See 2d League .] To unite in a league or confederacy; to combine for mutual support; to confederate

South.

League <Xpage=838>

League , v. t. To join in a league; to cause to combine for a joint purpose; to combine; to unite; as, common interests will league heterogeneous elements .

Leaguer <Xpage=838>

Lea"guer , n. [D. leger camp, bed, couch, lair. See Lair , and cf. Beleaguer .] 1. The camp of a besieging army; a camp in general.

b. Jonson.

2. A siege or beleaguering. [R.]

Sir W. Scott.

Leaguer <Xpage=838>

Lea"guer , v. t. To besiege; to beleaguer. [Obs.]

Leaguerer <Xpage=838>

Lea"guer*er (?) , n. A besieger. [R.]

J. Webster.

Leak <Xpage=838>

Leak (?) , n. [Akin to D. lek leaky, a leak, G. leck , Icel. lekr leaky, Dan. l\'91k leaky, a leak, Sw. l\'84ck ; cf. AS. hlec full of cracks or leaky. Cf. Leak , v. ] 1. A crack, crevice, fissure, or hole which admits water or other fluid, or lets it escape; as, a leak in a roof; a leak in a boat; a leak in a gas pipe. "One leak will sink a ship."

Bunyan.

2. The entrance or escape of a fluid through a crack, fissure, or other aperture; as, the leak gained on the ship's pumps .

To spring a leak , to open or crack so as to let in water; to begin to let in water; as, the ship sprung a leak .

Leak <Xpage=838>

Leak , a. Leaky. [Obs.]

Spenser.

Leak <Xpage=838>

Leak , v. i. [ imp. & p. p. Leaked (?) ; p. pr. & vb. n. Leaking .] [Akin to D. lekken , G. lecken , lechen , Icel. leka , Dan. l\'91kke , Sw. l\'84cka , AS. leccan to wet, moisten. See Leak , n. ] 1. To let water or other fluid in or out through a hole, crevice, etc.; as, the cask leaks ; the roof leaks ; the boat leaks .

2. To enter or escape, as a fluid, through a hole, crevice, etc. ; to pass gradually into, or out of, something; -- usually with in or out .

To leak out , to be divulged gradually or clandestinely; to become public; as, the facts leaked out .

Leakage <Xpage=838>

Leak"age (<?/) , n. [Cf. D. lekkage , for sense 1.] 1. A leaking; also, the quantity that enters or issues by leaking .

2. (Com.) An allowance of a certain rate per cent for the leaking of casks, or waste of liquors by leaking .

Leakiness <Xpage=838>

Leak"i*ness (?) , n. The quality of being leaky.

Leaky <Xpage=838>

Leak"y (?) , a. [ Compar. Leakier (?) ; superl. Leakiest .] 1. Permitting water or other fluid to leak in or out; as, a leaky roof or cask .

2. Apt to disclose secrets; tattling; not close. [Colloq.]

Leal <Xpage=838>

Leal (?) , a. [OE. leial , another form of loial , F. loyal . See Loyal .] Faithful; loyal; true.

All men true and leal , all women pure. Tennyson.

Land of the leal , the place of the faithful; heaven.

Leam <Xpage=838>

Leam (?) , n. & v. i. See Leme . [Obs.]

Holland.

Leam <Xpage=838>

Leam , n. [See Leamer , Lien .] A cord or strap for leading a dog.

Sir W. Scott.

Leamer <Xpage=838>

Leam"er (?) , n. [F. limier , OF. liemier , fr. L. ligamen band, bandage. See Lien .] A dog held by a leam.

Lean <Xpage=838>

Lean (?) , v. t. [Icel. leyna ; akin to G. l\'84ugnen to deny, AS. l<?/gnian , also E. lie to speak falsely.] To conceal. [Obs.]

Ray.

Lean <Xpage=838>

Lean (?) , v. i. [ imp. & p. p. Leaned (?) , sometimes Leant (<?/); p. pr. & vb. n. Leaning .] [OE. lenen , AS. hlinian , hleonian , v. i. ; akin to OS. hlin\'d3n , D. leunen , OHG. hlin\'c7n , lin\'c7n , G. lehnen , L. inclinare , Gr. <?/ , L. clivus hill, slope. &root;40. Cf. Declivity , Climax , Incline , Ladder .] 1. To incline, deviate, or bend, from a vertical position; to be in a position thus inclining or deviating; as, she leaned out at the window; a leaning column. "He leant forward."

Dickens.

2. To incline in opinion or desire; to conform in conduct; -- with to , toward , etc.

They delight rather to lean to their old customs. Spenser.

3. To rest or rely, for support, comfort, and the like; -- with on , upon , or against .

He leaned not on his fathers but himself. Tennyson.

Lean <Xpage=838>