lea

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Led p. pr. & vb. n. Leading. ] [ OE. leden, AS. l&aemacr_;dan (akin to OS. lēdian, D. leiden, G. leiten, Icel. leīða, Sw. leda, Dan. lede), properly a causative fr. AS. liðan to go; akin to OHG. līdan, Icel. līða, Goth. leiþan (in comp.). Cf. Lode, Loath. ] 1. To guide or conduct with the hand, or by means of some physical contact or connection; as, a father leads a child; a jockey leads a horse with a halter; a dog leads a blind man. [ 1913 Webster ]

If a blind man lead a blind man, both fall down in the ditch. Wyclif (Matt. xv. 14.) [ 1913 Webster ]

They thrust him out of the city, and led him unto the brow of the hill. Luke iv. 29. [ 1913 Webster ]

In thy right hand lead with thee
The mountain nymph, sweet Liberty. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To guide or conduct in a certain course, or to a certain place or end, by making the way known; to show the way, esp. by going with or going in advance of. Hence, figuratively: To direct; to counsel; to instruct; as, to lead a traveler; to lead a pupil. [ 1913 Webster ]

The Lord went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them the way. Ex. xiii. 21. [ 1913 Webster ]

He leadeth me beside the still waters. Ps. xxiii. 2. [ 1913 Webster ]

This thought might lead me through the world's vain mask.
Content, though blind, had I no better guide. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. To conduct or direct with authority; to have direction or charge of; as, to lead an army, an exploring party, or a search; to lead a political party. [ 1913 Webster ]

Christ took not upon him flesh and blood that he might conquer and rule nations, lead armies, or possess places. South. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. To go or to be in advance of; to precede; hence, to be foremost or chief among; as, the big sloop led the fleet of yachts; the Guards led the attack; Demosthenes leads the orators of all ages. [ 1913 Webster ]

As Hesperus, that leads the sun his way. Fairfax. [ 1913 Webster ]

And lo ! Ben Adhem's name led all the rest. Leigh Hunt. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. To draw or direct by influence, whether good or bad; to prevail on; to induce; to entice; to allure; as, to lead one to espouse a righteous cause. [ 1913 Webster ]

He was driven by the necessities of the times, more than led by his own disposition, to any rigor of actions. Eikon Basilike. [ 1913 Webster ]

Silly women, laden with sins, led away by divers lusts. 2 Tim. iii. 6 (Rev. Ver.). [ 1913 Webster ]

6. To guide or conduct one's self in, through, or along (a certain course); hence, to proceed in the way of; to follow the path or course of; to pass; to spend. Also, to cause (one) to proceed or follow in (a certain course). [ 1913 Webster ]

That we may lead a quiet and peaceable life. 1 Tim. ii. 2. [ 1913 Webster ]

Nor thou with shadowed hint confuse
A life that leads melodious days. Tennyson. [ 1913 Webster ]

You remember . . . the life he used to lead his wife and daughter. Dickens. [ 1913 Webster ]

7. (Cards & Dominoes) To begin a game, round, or trick, with; as, to lead trumps; the double five was led. [ 1913 Webster ]

To lead astray, to guide in a wrong way, or into error; to seduce from truth or rectitude. --
To lead captive, to carry or bring into captivity. --
To lead the way, to show the way by going in front; to act as guide. Goldsmith. [ 1913 Webster ]