leaden

Etymology

From Middle English leden, leaden, from Old English lēaden (“leaden, of lead”), equivalent to lead + -en. Cognate with West Frisian leaden (“leaden”), Dutch loden (“leaden”).

adj

1. (dated) Made of lead.
2. Pertaining to or resembling lead; grey, heavy, sluggish.
   Which break a teachless nature to the yoke. 1818-1819, Percy Bysshe Shelley, Julian and Maddalo … if man be The passive thing you say, I should not see Much harm in the religions and old saws (Tho' I may never own such leaden laws)
3. Dull; darkened with overcast.
   the sky was leaden and thick
   It was at the end of February..., when the world was cold..., when icy rains fell from the leaden skies in continual drizzling showers. 1999: Stardust, Neil Gaiman, page 31 (2001 Perennial paperback edition)

verb

1. (transitive, intransitive) To make or become dull or overcast.