ringleader

English

/ˈɹɪŋˌliːdəɹ/

noun
Definitions
  • A leader of a group of people, especially an unofficial group.
  • A person who starts and leads a disturbance (such as a riot), a conspiracy, or a criminal gang.

Etymology

Compound from English ring (surround, sound a bell, planetary rings) + English leader.

Origin

English

leader

Gloss

Timeline

Distribution of cognates by language

Geogrpahic distribution of cognates

Cognates and derived terms