a guiding or directing head, as of an army, movement, or political group.
3.
Music.
a.
a conductor or director, as of an orchestra, band, or chorus.
b.
the player at the head of the first violins in an orchestra, the principal cornetist in a band, or the principal soprano in a chorus, to whom any incidental solos are usually assigned.
4.
a featured article of trade, esp. one offered at a low price to attract customers. Compare loss leader.
Also called leading article.British. the principal editorial in a newspaper.
6.
blank film or tape at the beginning of a length of film or magnetic tape, used for threading a motion-picture camera, tape recorder, etc. Compare trailer(def. 6).
7.
Angling.
a.
a length of nylon, silkworm gut, wire, or the like, to which the lure or hook is attached.
b.
the net used to direct fish into a weir, pound, etc.
8.
a pipe for conveying rain water downward, as from a roof; downspout.
9.
a horse harnessed at the front of a team.
10.
leaders, Printing. a row of dots or a short line to lead the eye across a space.
Chief\ (ch[=e]n), n. [OE. chief, chef, OF. chief, F. chef, fr. L. caput head, possibly akin to E. head. Cf. Captain, Chapter]1. The head or leader of any body of men; a commander, as of an army; a head man, as of a tribe, clan, or family; a person in authority who directs the work of others; the principal actor or agent. 2. The principal part; the most valuable portion. The chief of the things which should be utterly destroyed. --1 Sam. xv. 21 3. (Her.) The upper third part of the field. It is supposed to be composed of the dexter, sinister, and middle chiefs. In chief. (a) At the head; as, a commander in chief. (b) (Eng. Law) From the king, or sovereign; as, tenure in chief, tenure directly from the king. Syn: Chieftain; captain; general; commander; leader; head; principal; sachem; sagamore; sheik. Usage: Chief, chieftain, Commander, Leader. These words fluctuate somewhat in their meaning according to circumstances, but agree in the general idea of rule and authority. The term chief is now more usually applied to one who is a head man, leader, or commander in civil or military affairs, or holds a hereditary or acquired rank in a tribe or clan; as, the chief of police; the chief of an Indian tribe. A chieftain is the chief of a clan or tribe, or a military leader. A commander directs the movements of or has control over a body of men, as a military or naval force. A leader is one whom men follow, as in a political party, a legislative body, a military or scientific expedition, etc., one who takes the command and gives direction in particular enterprises.
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