Definition of leaden

The word "leaden" originates from the Old English word "hirde," which meant "gray" or "hoary." This word came from the Proto-Germanic *hrazjaz, which meant "hoary" or "grey." In Old English, "hirde" referred to someone who had grown grey, as well as to old, weathered objects like lead. Over time, the word "lead(y)" replaced the Old English "hirde" in reference to objects that had taken on a dull, grey-like appearance due to age or exposure to the elements. The exact reason why the word "leaden" came to be associated with lead is uncertain, but it's possible that it was due to the appearance of early lead objects, which were often dull and grayish. It's also possible that the word "leaden" was adopted because the lead used in ancient times had a distinctively heavy, dense texture, which gave the objects made from it a weighty feel. Regardless of the reason, the word "leaden" has come to mean everything from heavy, gray-colored objects that seem to weigh you down both physically and emotionally, to words that have lost their freshness and vibrancy. Today, "leaden" can be used as an adjective to describe a variety of things, from skies that have been overcast and gray for too long, to the slow, heavy feeling that accompanies depression or sadness.