Where does “leading” come from?
Leading derives from English lead, from Middle English leed, from Old English lǣdan meaning to guide, from Proto-Germanic laidijaną, from Proto-Indo-European h₁lewdʰ-, leyt-, and ley-.
leading (English): present participle of lead; Providing guidance or...
Definitions
- present participle of lead; Providing guidance or...
Ancestry of “leading”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Middle English | ledinge | — |
| 2 | Old English | lǣdende | — |
| 3 | Proto-Germanic | laidijandz | — |
| 4 | Proto-Germanic | laidijaną | to cause to go, to lead |
| 5 | Proto-Germanic | līþaną | to go; pass; to go through |
| 6 | Proto-Indo-European | leyt- | to scratch; to leave, die; to go, go forth, die |
| 7 | Proto-Indo-European | lēy- | to leave, let; to want, desire; to let; leave... |