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to guide

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Teen instigator directs friends throwing paper balls into school doorway.

noun

ringleader

RING-lee-der/ˈrɪŋliːdər/

The main organizer of a group involved in wrongdoing.

Etymology

ringOld Englishcircle

+leadOld Englishto guide

+erEnglisha person or thing that does something

Leading the ring meant being foremost in a group, probably extending an image of leading a circle of dancers. The term came to apply especially to someone directing others in wrongdoing.

Full entry

Related word entries

ringleader