An Etymological Dictionary of Astronomy and Astrophysics

In a → sunspot group, the first spot to form in the direction of rotation and the last to disappear. It is the largest, the strongest in magnetic intensity, and the closest to the solar equator among the group sunspots. See also → follower spot.

Etymology (EN): From M.E. leder(e), O.E. lædan “cause to go with one, lead,” from W.Gmc. *laithjan (cf. O.S. lithan, O.N. liða “to go,” O.H.G. ga-lidan “to travel,” Goth. ga-leiþan “to go”); → spot.

Etymology (PE): Lakké, → spot; pišrow “leader, forerunner,” from piš “in front, forward, before”
(Mid.Pers. pêš “before, earlier;” O.Pers. paišiya “before; in the presence of”)

• row “going,” present stem of raftan “to go, elapse, glide by, depart” (Mid.Pers. raftan, raw-, Proto-Iranian *rab/f- “to go; to attack”).