资料来源 : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Leading \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.