Leading note

Leading Lead"ing, 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]