Definify.com

Webster 1913 Edition


Leadsman

Leads′man

,
Noun.
;
pl.
Leadsmen
.
(Naut.)
The man who heaves the lead.
Totten.

Definition 2024


leadsman

leadsman

English

Alternative forms

Pronunciation

Noun

leadsman (plural leadsmen)

  1. (obsolete) lodesman (a leader or guide)

References

  • †Leadsman¹” listed on page 145 of volume VI, part 1 (L, M) of A New English Dictionary on Historical Principles [1st ed., 1908]
      †Leadsman¹. Obs. [f. leads, genitive of Lead sb.² + Man.] A guide, = Lodesman. [¶] c 1510 Gest R. Hode vii. 369 in Child Ballads (1888) III. 74/1, I wyll be your ledës-man, And lede you the way. 1598 Barret Theor. Warres 29 They find their leadsman before them in their due distance.
  • †leadsman¹” listed in the Oxford English Dictionary [2nd ed., 1989]

Etymology 2

leads (the genitive form of lead: “heavy base metal” = the Latin plumbum) + man

Pronunciation

Noun

leadsman (plural leadsmen)

  1. (nautical) A sailor who takes soundings with a lead, measuring the depth of water.

See also

References

  • Leadsman²” listed on page 145 of volume VI, part 1 (L, M) of A New English Dictionary on Historical Principles [1st ed., 1908]
      Leadsman² (le·dzmăn). [f. gen. of Lead sb.¹ + Man.] The man who ‘heaves’ the lead in taking soundings. [¶; 4 quots.: 1857, 1867, 1875, 1891]
  • leadsman²” listed in the Oxford English Dictionary [2nd ed., 1989]