To lead astray

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 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]