Emily Dickinson Lexicon

LEAD, n.¹ [led.; Sax. læd; G. loth; D. lood; Dan. and Sw. lod; Russ. lot, probably a mass, like clod.]

1. A metal of a dull white color, with a cast of blue. It the least elastic and sonorous of all the metals, and at the same time it is soft and easily fusible. It is found native in small masses, but generally mineralized by sulphur, and sometimes by other substances. Lead fused in a strong heat, throws off vapors which are unwholesome.
2. A plummet or mass of lead, used in sounding at sea.
3. Leads, a flat roof covered with lead. – Shak. Bacon. White lead, the oxyd of lead, ground with one-third part of chalk. – Fourcroy.