The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 9 letter word CONDUCTOR
C
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D
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More clues leading to the result CONDUCTOR
- Fare collector caught on tube with old queen
- Maestro no longer seen on the buses
- Study tube or train fare collector
- Rattle copper, as an example
- One knows the score
- Lead and gold material that will transmit electricity
- Copper is a good one who may wave his hands about?
- Person in charge, a live wire maybe
- Leader cut out to be protected by high flier
- Carry out logical function for leader
Buddy explains!

The straight part
We know that "leader" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case leader = conductor.The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does CONDUCTOR mean?
CONDUCTOR noun- One who conducts or leads; a guide; a director.
- A person who conducts an orchestra, choir or other music ensemble; a professional whose occupation is conducting.
- A person who takes tickets on public transportation and also helps passengers
- Something that can transmit electricity, heat, light or sound.
- An ideal of a ring that measures how far it is from being integrally closed
- A grooved sound or staff used for directing instruments, such as lithontriptic forceps; a director.
- A leader.