ringleader

  • 1Ringleader — Ring lead er, n. 1. The leader of a circle of dancers; hence, the leader of a number of persons acting together; the leader of a herd of animals. [1913 Webster] A primacy of order, such an one as the ringleader hath in a dance. Barrow. [1913… …

    The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • 2ringleader — index demagogue, pioneer Burton s Legal Thesaurus. William C. Burton. 2006 …

    Law dictionary

  • 3ringleader — c.1500, from M.E. phrase to lead the ring (mid 14c.), probably from a medieval metaphor from dancing …

    Etymology dictionary

  • 4ringleader — [n] leader agitator, boss, brains*, captain, chief, chieftain, commander, general, head, head honcho*, inciter, instigator, mastermind, orchestrator, president, ruler, skipper, spokesperson, troublemaker; concepts 347,354 …

    New thesaurus

  • 5ringleader — ► NOUN ▪ a person who leads an illicit activity …

    English terms dictionary

  • 6ringleader — [riŋ′lēd΄ər] n. [ RING2 + LEADER] a person who leads others, esp. in unlawful acts, opposition to authority, etc …

    English World dictionary

  • 7ringleader — UK [ˈrɪŋˌliːdə(r)] / US [ˈrɪŋˌlɪdər] noun [countable] Word forms ringleader : singular ringleader plural ringleaders a leader of a group of people who are doing something illegal or wrong The ringleaders are likely to face the death penalty …

    English dictionary

  • 8ringleader — {n. phr.} The chief of an unsavory group; a higher up. * /The FBI finally caught up with the ringleader of the dope smugglers from South America./ …

    Dictionary of American idioms

  • 9ringleader — {n. phr.} The chief of an unsavory group; a higher up. * /The FBI finally caught up with the ringleader of the dope smugglers from South America./ …

    Dictionary of American idioms

  • 10ringleader — /ring lee deuhr/, n. a person who leads others, esp. in opposition to authority, law, etc.: a ringleader of revolutionary activities. [1495 1505; RING1 + LEADER] * * * …

    Universalium