a device for controlling the flow of liquid (typically water) from a pipe

the top leader or chief of a group or organization, often used in the context of gangs or underworld figures

lit. dragon's head, snake's tail (idiom); fig. a strong start but weak finish

key or leading enterprises

(finance) leading stock; market leader

A lever-style guillotine decorated with a dragon's head at the hinged end, used to execute criminals related to the imperial family.