In printing, "thin strip of type-metal (often lead but sometimes brass) used in composition to separate lines" from 1808, earlier space-line. From 1590s as figurative for "bullets." Lead oxide was much used in glazing, mirror-making, and pigments. White lead (1560s) was an old name for "tin."Īs a name of a dull bluish-gray color, 1610s. Black lead was an old name for "graphite," hence lead pencil (1680s) and the colloquial figurative phrase to have lead in one's pencil "be possessed of (especially male sexual) vigor," attested by 1902. Meaning "graphite in a pencil" is from 1816 (see pencil (n.)). Lead-footed "slow" is from 1896 opposite sense of "fast" emerged 1940s in trucker's jargon, from notion of a foot heavy on the gas pedal.
American English slang lead balloon "dismal failure" attested by 1957, perhaps 1940s (as a type of something heavy that can be kept up only with effort, from 1904). The name and the skill in using the metal seem to have been borrowed from the Celts (compare Old Irish luaide).įigurative of heaviness at least since early 14c. Heavy metal, Old English lead "lead, leaden vessel," from West Germanic *lauda- (source also of Old Frisian lad, Middle Dutch loot, Dutch lood "lead," German Lot "weight, plummet"), a word of uncertain origin. To lead (someone) a dance "compel through a course of irksome actions" is from 1520s. To figuratively lead (someone) by the nose "guide by persuasion" is from 1580s, from draught animals (earlier lead by the sleeve, early 15c.). To lead on "entice to advance" is from 1590s. To lead with one's chin "leave oneself vulnerable in a contest" (1946) is a figure from boxing. Meaning "take the directing part in a musical performance or prayer" is from 1849. Sense in card playing, "to commence a round or trick," is from 1670s. Intransitive sense, "act the part of a leader," is from 1570s. Research and compare vehicles, find local dealers. Meaning "to be in first place" is from late 14c. Autoblog brings you car news expert reviews of cars, trucks, crossovers and SUVs and pictures and video. "to guide," Old English lædan (transitive) "cause to go with oneself march at the head of, go before as a guide, accompany and show the way carry on sprout forth, bring forth pass (one's life)," causative of liðan "to travel," from Proto-Germanic *laidjanan (source also of Old Saxon lithan, Old Norse liða "to go," Old High German ga-lidan "to travel," Gothic ga-leiþan "to go"), from PIE *leit- (2) "to go forth."
0 kommentar(er)
