leaden

English

Etymology

From Middle English leden, leaden, from Old English lēaden (“leaden, of lead”), equivalent to lead +‎ -en. Cognate with West Frisian leaden (“leaden”), Dutch loden (“leaden”).

Pronunciation

• Rhymes: -ɛdən

Adjective

leaden (comparative more leaden, superlative most leaden)

1. (dated) Made of lead.
2. Pertaining to or resembling lead; heavy, grey, sluggish.
   • Ode to a Nightingale, John Keats

     "Where but to think is to be full of sorrow And leaden-eyed despairs, Where Beauty cannot keep her lustrous eyes, Or new Love pine at them beyond to-morrow."

3. Dull; darkened with overcast.

   the sky was leaden and thick

   • 1999: Stardust, Neil Gaiman, 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."

Translations

made of lead

• Italian: plumbeo (it) m
• Latin: plumbeus (la)
• Portuguese: plúmbeo (pt)

• Scottish Gaelic: luaidheach (gd)
• Spanish: plúmbeo (es), plomizo (es)

pertaining to or resembling lead

• Latin: plumbeus (la), plumbārius (la)
• Portuguese: plúmbeo (pt)

• Scottish Gaelic: luaidheach (gd)
• Spanish: plúmbeo (es), plomizo (es)

dull

Anagrams

• aneled
• leaned