Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Lead \Lead\ (l[=e]d), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Led} (l[e^]d); p. pr.
   & vb. n. {Leading}.] [OE. leden, AS. l[=ae]dan (akin to OS.
   l[=e]dian, D. leiden, G. leiten, Icel. le[imac][eth]a, Sw.
   leda, Dan. lede), properly a causative fr. AS. li[eth]an to
   go; akin to OHG. l[imac]dan, Icel. l[imac][eth]a, Goth.
   lei[thorn]an (in comp.). Cf. {Lode}, {Loath}.]
   1. To guide or conduct with the hand, or by means of some
      physical contact connection; as, a father leads a child; a
      jockey leads a horse with a halter; a dog leads a blind
      man.

            If a blind man lead a blind man, both fall down in
            the ditch.                            --Wyclif
                                                  (Matt. xv.
                                                  14.)

            They thrust him out of the city, and led him unto
            the brow of the hill.                 --Luke iv. 29.

            In thy right hand lead with thee The mountain nymph,
            sweet Liberty.                        --Milton.

   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.

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

            He leadeth me beside the still waters. --Ps. xxiii.
                                                  2.

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

   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.

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

   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.

            As Hesperus, that leads the sun his way. --Fairfax.

            And lo ! Ben Adhem's name led all the rest. --Leigh
                                                  Hunt.

   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.

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

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

   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).

            That we may lead a quiet and peaceable life. --1
                                                  Tim. ii. 2.

            Nor thou with shadowed hint confuse A life that
            leads melodious days.                 --Tennyson.

            You remember . . . the life he used to lead his wife
            and daughter.                         --Dickens.

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

   {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.