Lead
/lɛd/noun
A soft, heavy, bluish-gray metallic element used in batteries, shielding, and alloys.
Did you know?In medieval and alchemical tradition, lead was linked to Saturn, the slowest planet and the symbol of heaviness, limitation, and fate.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*leud-
“to grow, rise, or spring up”
Proto-Germanic
PGmc
*laidijaz
“lead (the metal)”
Old English
English
lēad
“lead, the metal”
Middle English
English
leed
“lead, the metal”
Modern English
English
lead
“the chemical element and metal”