Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Lead \Lead\, v. i.
   1. To guide or conduct, as by accompanying, going before,
      showing, influencing, directing with authority, etc.; to
      have precedence or pre["e]minence; to be first or chief;
      -- used in most of the senses of lead, v. t.

   2. To tend or reach in a certain direction, or to a certain
      place; as, the path leads to the mill; gambling leads to
      other vices.

            The mountain foot that leads towards Mantua. --Shak.

   {To lead} {off or out}, to go first; to begin.