leading

a. Guiding; directing; controlling; foremost; as, a leading motive; a leading man; a leading example. -- Lead"ing*ly, adv. [1913 Webster]

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. [1913 Webster]