A History of Short Words

From the New York Times Crossword Puzzle

LEAD

Mon, 21 Aug '23
Metal that an alchemist "converts" into gold
Sun, 14 May '23
Start of a detective's trail
Fri, 24 Feb '23
___ climbing (discipline that debuted at the 2020 Olympics)
Tue, 21 Feb '23
Headliner
Wed, 9 Nov '22
Heavy metal
Fri, 9 Sep '22
Direct
Sat, 20 Aug '22
Help for a case
Mon, 1 Aug '22
Starring role
Tue, 7 Sep '21
One getting top billing
Wed, 12 May '21
Top-billed performer