leading-strings

(lé’ding-stringz), n. pl. 1. Strings by which children are supported when beginning to walk. Was he ever able to walk without leading-strings, or swim without bladders? Swift. Hence—2. Restrictions imposed upon freedom of action; intrusive care or custody; restraining guidance. Leaying you, within the tethering of certain leading strings, to gather what advantages you can. Ruskin, Elem. of Drawing, iii. To be in leading-strings, to be in a state of infancy or dependence; be a puppet in the hands of others. leading-wheel (le’ding-hwél),. In locomotives, one of the wheels which are placed before the driving-wheels.