leaden

== English == === Etymology === From Middle English leden, leaden, from Old English lēaden (“leaden, of lead”). Cognate with West Frisian leaden (“leaden”), Dutch loden (“leaden”). By surface analysis, lead +‎ -en. === Pronunciation === IPA(key): /ˈlɛdən/ Rhymes: -ɛdən === Adjective === leaden (comparative more leaden, superlative most leaden) Of or related to the metal lead, particularly Synonyms: lead, plumbic, plumbous, (uncommon) leady, (archaic) saturnine (archaic) Made of lead. (figurative) Resembling the color of lead, metallic or dark gray; (of daylight) dim, overcast. Synonyms: see Thesaurus:dim 1999, Neil Gaiman, Stardust, page 31 (2001 Perennial paperback edition): "It was at the end of February..., when the world was cold..., when icy rains fell from the leaden skies in continual drizzling showers." (figurative) Resembling the density of lead, heavy. 1818-1819, Percy Bysshe Shelley, Julian and Maddalo [...] if man beThe passive thing you say, I should not seeMuch harm in the religions and old saws(Tho' I may never own such leaden laws)Which break a teachless nature to the yoke. (figurative) Resembling the ponderousness of lead, sluggish. ==== Derived terms ==== ==== Translations ==== === Verb === leaden (third-person singular simple present leadens, present participle leadening, simple past and past participle leadened) (ambitransitive) To make or become dull or overcast. === Anagrams === Delena, andele, aneled, leaned, nealed == Middle English == === Etymology 1 === ==== Verb ==== leaden (Early Middle English) alternative form of leden (“to lead”) === Etymology 2 === ==== Adjective ==== leaden (Late Middle English) alternative form of leden (“leaden”) == Old English == === Pronunciation === IPA(key): /ˈlæ͜ɑː.den/ === Adjective === lēaden alternative form of līeden ==== Declension ====