Forms: 1 lǽdan, 2–4 laden, 3 læden, læiden, 2–5 leden, leaden, (3 leoden, Orm. ledenn), 3–5 ledde, 4–6 led(e, 4, 7 leede, 4–7 (chiefly Sc.) leide, leyde, 6–7 leade; 6– lead. Pres. ind. (contracted forms): 2nd sing. 1 lǽtst, 3 last; 3rd sing. 1 lǽt, 3 lat, 3–4 let, 4 leth. Pa. t. 1 lǽdde, 2 leaded, 2–6 ledd(e, 3 lædde, 3–4 leede, (3 leadde, leddede), 4–6 ladde, 4–8 lad, 5–6 ledd, (5 leded, Sc. laid), 4– led. Pa. pple. 1 lǽded, lǽd, 3–6 ledde, 4–5 ladd(e, lede, 4–7 led(e, 7 lead(e, 4– led. Also 3–5 with prefix i-, y-. [A Com. Teut. wk. vb. (wanting in Goth.): OE. lǽdan = OFris. lêda, OS. lêdjan (MDu. leden, leiden, Du. leiden), OHG. (MHG., G.) leiten, ON. leiða (Sw. leda, Da. lede):—OTeut. *laiđjan, f. *laiđâ road, journey (see LOAD, LODE sbs.), related to OE. líðan, ON. líða to go, travel.
The word has always served as the usual rendering of L. ducere, and this has in some degree influenced the development of meaning.]
I. To conduct.
1. trans. To cause to go along with oneself.
† a. To bring or take (a person or animal) to a place. Also with away, down, etc. Obs. (Phrases like to lead captive are now understood in sense 2.)
c. 825. Vesp. Psalter, lxvii[i]. 19. Astiʓende in heanisse ʓehefte lædde heftned.
c. 1000. Ælfric, Gen. vi. 19. Of eallum nytenum … tweʓen ʓemacan þu lætst in to þam arce mid þe. Ibid., xlii. 20. Læde eowerne ʓingstan broðor to me.
a. 1175. Cott. Hom., 221. God ȝeledde to him niatenu … and adam ham alle namen ȝesceop.
c. 1205. Lay., 26797. [He] ladde uorð Petreiun læð þeh hit weore him.
c. 1250. Gen. & Ex., 858. Wifwes, and childre … He ledden a-wei wið herte prud. Ibid., 2193. He dede hem binden and leden dun, And speren faste in his prisun.
1297. R. Glouc. (Rolls), 8803. Oþer kniȝtes þer were inome,… & ilad in to engelond.
c. 1375. Sc. Leg. Saints, xi. (Symon & Judas), 408. Þe forsad byschapis of þat stede al hale þe puple with þam lede.
1387. Trevisa, Higden (Rolls), III. 97. Þat be kyng schulde be lad awey prisoner in to Babilon.
c. 1400. Maundev. (1839), x. 113. The Jews ladden him upon an highe Roche.
c. 1460. Towneley Myst., xiv. 70. Boldly thou thaym bynde, And with the leyde.
1530. Palsgr., 601/2. Shall I leade him away with me?
1533. Gau, Richt Vay, 70. God sal leid thaime vp to the heuine with hime quhilk ar deid in christ.
1579. Lyly, Euphues (Arb.), 168. Ieremy before the people were led awaye, apointeth their exile to continue three score and ten years.
1704. Hearne, Duct. Hist. (1714), I. 395. The Pannonians … he successfully subdued, leading away the younger sort into other countries.
quasi-passive in gerund. a. 1533. Ld. Berners, Huon, cxliv. 539. The other prysoners, whom we see yonder ledyng to the dethe warde.
1757. Eliz. Griffith, Lett. Henry & Francis (1767), II. 87. Suppose a criminal leading forth to execution.
b. To carry or convey, usually in a cart or other vehicle. Now only north. dial.: To cart (coal, corn, stones, turf, etc.). To lead in (grain): to house.
c. 900. trans. Bæda’s Hist., I. i. (1890), 30. Of Breotone nædran on scipum lædde wæron. Ibid., III. v. [vii.] 168. Hædde biscop heht his lichoman … lædan to Wintaceastre.
c. 1205. Lay., 3548. To læden þis garisume to leuene mine fadere.
a. 1225. Leg. Kath., 2251. We, aȝeines þin heast, þæt licome awei ledden.
a. 1300. Cursor M., 5129. Siluer and gold þai wit þam ledd.
1362. Langl., P. Pl., A. IV. 130. Lawe schal ben a laborer and leden [1377 lede] a-feld dounge.
1375. Barbour, Bruce, X. 195. Vith this Bunnok spokin had thai To leid thair hay.
c. 1386. Chaucer, Monk’s T., 158. The vessel of the temple he with hym ladde.
c. 1400. Maundev. (1839), xxiii. 248. Thei leiden hire Houses with hem upon chariottes.
c. 1420. Liber Cocorum (1862), 33. Whenne thou hast covered hit [venison] so, Lede hit home.
c. 1450. St. Cuthbert (Surtees), 5300. Þare armour hame þai led.
c. 1450. Bk. Curtasye, 813, in Babees Bk. Þe vssher ledes þat on hed ryȝt.
c. 1470. Henry, Wallace, IX. 1610. A drawcht off wod to leid.
c. 1475. Rauf Coilȝear, 597. Leidand Coillis he ȝeid To Paris the way.
1528. Test. Ebor. (Surtees), V. 260. To Smythson, for ledinge corne et Acclame, vjs. viijd.
1530. Palsgr., 604/2. He was ledde thorowe the towne upon a hardell and so to the galowes.
1594. Acc. Bk. W. Wray, in Antiquary, XXXII. 55. For leding ij lodes of haye, xijd.
1601. Shaks., All’s Well, IV. iii. 298. Faith, sir, ha’s led the drumme before the English Tragedians.
1603. Owen, Pembrokeshire (1891), 93. And being thus dried throwlie they [turfs] are led home and layed then vp.
1683. Vestry Bks. (Surtees), 341. For two load of lime and leading it, 5s.
1721. Ramsay, Elegy Patie Birnie, v. Tho’ peats and turfs and a’s to lead.
1799. J. Robertson, Agric. Perth, 195. In no case to reap when they ought to be leading in (housing) their grain.
1839. Stonehouse, Axholme, 43. One shilling a load is the price generally paid for leading a cart-load of warp.
1841. Jrnl. R. Agric. Soc., II. II. 191. He undertakes to convey (or lead, as the term is) all the materials for a new building.
1887. Hall Caine, Deemster, xvi. 800. Dan was sent for the pair of oxen to where they were leading manure.
1891. Atkinson, Moorland Par., 64. The people of the farm in question … had been leading, that is, carting hay in a ‘catchy’ time.
† c. Of a natural agent, e.g., the wind: To carry. Obs.
1297. R. Glouc. (Rolls), 2023. He ariuede at souþ hamptone as þe wind hom adde ylad.
a. 1300. Cursor M., 1805. Þe wind him ledd a-pon þe flodd.
1633. Bp. Hall, Hard Texts, 607. Causing the Clouds to lead in store of rain.
d. To bring forward, adduce (testimony); to bring (an action). Now only in Sc. Law.
a. 1300. Cursor M., 16278. Quat mister es o wijtnessing again him for to lede?
c. 1450. Holland, Howlat, 224. The crovss Capone … Was officiale but less that the law leidis.
1503. Extracts Aberd. Reg. (1844), I. 430. The richtis, ressonis and allegacionis of batht the said parties,… led, herde, sene and understandin.
1564. Warrant, in D. H. Fleming, Mary Q. of Scots (1897), 494. Forsamekill as thair wes ane proces of forfaltoure led aganis Mathew sumtyme Erle Leuenax [etc.].
1737. Rutherford, Lett. (1862), I. 379. A process leading agst. my guiltiness.
1831. Sir W. Hamilton, Discuss. (1852), 228. No evidence has yet been led to show.
1884. Ld. Watson, in Law Rep., 9 App. Cases 253. In the Court below, the parties were allowed and led proof of their respective averments.
1887. Scotsman, 19 March. Proof was led to-day in this action of separation and aliment.
2. To accompany and show the way to; to conduct, guide, esp. to direct or guide by going on in advance; to cause to follow in one’s path. Often with advs., astray, away, forth, in, on, out, up, etc.
In early examples app. merely a contextual use of sense 1.
a. 900. Martyrol., 26, in O. E. Texts, 178. Mine englas ðec lædað in ða hiofonlican Hierusalem.
971. Blickl. Hom., 27. He hine lædde upon swiþe hea dune.
c. 1175. Lamb. Hom., 119. Monie þewas … ledað to deþe on ende þa þe heom duseliche folȝiað.
c. 1200. Ormin, 14468. Caym ledde himm [Abæl] ut uppo þe feld.
c. 1205. Lay., 1098. Brutus nom Ignogen & into scipe lædde.
c. 1250. Gen. & Ex., 3607. Go, led ðis folc.
a. 1300. Cursor M., 24620. Vnto þe tun þan i me ledd.
c. 1350. Will. Palerne, 2618. Þe werwolf hem ladde ouer mures & muntaynes.
c. 1375. Sc. Leg. Saints, xxxv. (Thadee), 47. Þane till a chawmir scho hym lede mare priue.
1382. Wyclif, Ps. lxxvii[i]. 14. He ladde hem thennes in the cloude of the day.
c. 1475. Rauf Coilȝear, 263. To ane preuie Chalmer beliue thay him led.
1509. Hawes, Past. Pleas., xxxviii. (Percy Soc.), 196. The gentle porteres … on my way then me lede.
1570. Satir. Poems Reform., xvi. 51. Bot he will leid him in the myre Thocht he hecht to defend him.
1603. Shaks., Meas. for M., III. ii. 47. How now, noble Pompey! What, at the wheels of Cæsar? Art thou led in triumph?
1667. Milton, P. L., XII. 309. Therefore shall not Moses … his people into Canaan lead.
1711. Addison, Spect., No. 321, ¶ 9. Satan is afterwards led away to Gabriel.
1742. Young, Nt. Th., I. 45–7. O lead my Mind … Lead it thro’ various Scenes of Life.
1847. H. Rogers, Ess. (1860), III. 402. The criminal must be led back by the same road by which he has been led astray.
1879. Miss Yonge, Cameos, Ser. IV. xiii. 144. He was led into the chamber of presence.
b. Of motives, conditions, circumstances: To guide, direct to a place.
a. 1300. Cursor M., 20386. Sais me quat has you hider ledde.
1821. Clare, Vill. Minstr., II. 44. It was a happy hour That led me up to Barnack hill.
1861. Temple Bar, I. 467. Chance led him to Basil.
1892. Eng. Illustr. Mag., IX. 867. Instinct early led him into the political arena.
c. Of a clue, light, sound, etc.: To serve (a person) as an indication of the way; to mark the course for. Also absol. to lead in (Naut.): to mark the course for entering port.
1697. Dryden, Virg. Georg., IV. 222. By the tinkling Sound of Timbrels led, The King of Heav’n in Cretan Caves they fed.
1824. Campbell, Theodric, 185. Led by that clue, he left not England’s shore Till he had known her.
1833. J. H. Newman, Hymn, Lead, Kindly Light, amid the encircling gloom, Lead Thou me on!
1860. Merc. Marine Mag., VII. 316. The two latter Lights in line lead in.
d. absol., chiefly in figurative contexts.
1580. Sidney, Ps. I. i. He blessed is who … [never] loosely treads The straying steps as wicked councel leads.
1593. Shaks., 3 Hen. VI., III. i. 99. We charge you … To go with vs vnto the Officers. King. In Gods name lead. Ibid. (1602), Oth., I. i. 311. Pray you lead on.
c. 1614. Sir W. Mure, Dido & Æneas, I. 89. Quhair ever thou dost leid We follow the.
1624. Quarles, Job, xvi. 30. My lips shall tread That ground … as Truth shall leade.
1836. I. Williams, in Lyra Apost. (1849), 120. Into God’s Word … Thou leadest on and on.
1863. Cowden Clarke, Shaks. Char., xvi. 390. [They] who desire to lead, must at all events make a show of following.
e. To lead the way: † (a) with personal obj., to guide, show the way to (obs.); (b) in later use (influenced by sense 13), to go in advance of others, take the lead in an expedition or course of action.
c. 1200. Ormin, 3465. Ant teȝȝre steorrne wass wiþþ hemm To ledenn hemm þe weȝȝe.
c. 1375. Sc. Leg. Saints, ii. (Paulus), 203. Þe quhilkis ledand hym þe way praide hym [etc.].
1590. Marlowe, Edw. II., II. ii. (1598), D 2. Lan. Lead on the way.
1599. Porter, Angry Wom. Abingt. (Percy Soc.), 90. Lead thou the way, and let me hold by thee.
1613. Shaks., Hen. VIII., V. v. 73. Lead the way, lords.
1697. Dryden, Virg. Georg., III. 123. The first to lead the Way, to tempt the Flood.
1709. Prior, Ode to Col. Villiers. And in their various Turns the Sons must tread Those gloomy Journeys, which their Sires have led.
1770. Goldsm., Des. Vill., 170. He … allured to brighter worlds, and led the way.
1832. Ht. Martineau, Ireland, ii. 22. Dora … led the way … in an opposite direction.
1847. Marryat, Childr. N. Forest, vii. I can manage it, Humphrey; so lead the way.
1874. Green, Short Hist., ii. § 6. 89. In the silent growth and elevation of the English people the boroughs led the way.
3. Of a commander: To march at the head of and direct the movement of. Also with on. † Also to conduct (warfare) = L. ducere bellum.
a. 900. O. E. Chron., an. 827 (Parker MS.). Se Ecgbryht lædde fierd to Dore wiþ Norþan hymbre.
c. 1350. Will. Palerne, 1609. Wiþ þe clennest cumpanye þat euer king ladde.
1422. trans. Secreta Secret., Priv. Priv., 154. Where ben tho that ladd the grete hostes?
c. 1470. Golagros & Gaw., 655. The thrid heght schir Bantellas, the batal to leid.
c. 1470. Henry, Wallace, VII. 1171. Hew Kertyngayme the wantguard ledis he.
1513. Douglas, Æneis, XI. iii. 28. Ne na weirfair with ȝour pepill leid I.
1596. Dalrymple, trans. Leslie’s Hist. Scot., VI. 332. He leids ane armie till Northumberland.
1605. Shaks., Macb., V. vi. 4. You (worthy Vnkle) Shall … Leade our first Battell.
1736. Lediard, Life Marlborough, II. 267. The Prince … led them on with great Gallantry.
1821. R. Turner, Arts & Sci. (ed. 18), 188. Many thousands of them [elephants] have at once been led to battle.
1847. Marryat, Childr. N. Forest, iv. He longed … to lead his men on to victory.
absol. c. 1420. Anturs of Arth., 397 (Douce MS.). Withe a launce one loft þat louely cone lede.
1581. Savile, Tacitus’ Agric. (1622), 194. The army … cried to leade into Caledonia.
1623. Bingham, Xenophon, 10. Cyrus … told them, that his purpose was to lead against the great King.
1791. Cowper, Iliad, IV. 430. Go therefore thou, Lead on.
4. To go before or alongside and guide by direct or indirect contact; to conduct (a person) by holding the hand or some part of the body or clothing, (an animal) by means of a cord, halter, bridle, etc. Const. by (the hand, etc.). Also with advs. away, in, off, on, out, up and down, etc. To lead apes (in hell): see APE sb. 6.
971. Blickl. Hom., 71. His þeʓnas … læddon him to þone eosol.
c. 1000. Ags. Gosp., Matt. xv. 14. Se blinda ʓyf he blindne læt hiʓ feallað beʓen on ænne pytt.
c. 1175. Lamb. Hom., 111. Þet mon … sarine frefrað oðer blindne let.
c. 1320. Sir Tristr., 446. Tristrem hunters seiȝe ride Les of houndes þai ledde.
c. 1375. Sc. Leg. Saints, xxxiii. (George), 274. Ta þi belt & hyme [a dragon] lede, & about his hals knyt it.
c. 1420. Anturs of Arth., 447. His stede was sone stabillede, and lede to þe stalle.
1470–85. Malory, Arthur, I. xlix. The brachet was mine that the Knight lad away.
1500–20. Dunbar, Poems, xiii. 17. His fa sum by the oxstar leidis. Ibid., xc. 35. That ane blynde man is led forth be ane uther.
1530. Palsgr., 604/2. Lede my horse, I praye you, up and downe.
1590. Spenser, F. Q., I. i. 4. A milke white lamb she lad.
1614. Sir A. Gorges, trans. Lucan’s Pharsalia, I. 37. Then doth he take a faire large bull … And him vnto the Altar leades.
1766. Goldsm., Vic. W., xxiii. The captive soldier was led forth.
1813. Sketches Charac. (ed. 2), I. 29. [She] returned, leading in a lovely little girl.
1830. Tennyson, Ode Memory, III. 10. In sweet dreams … Thou leddest by the hand thine infant Hope.
1862. Temple Bar, IV. 252. The chestnut … was led off to the stable.
b. To lead (a bride) to the altar, to church († also simply: ? after L. ducere): To marry.
1530. Palsgr., 604/2. I lede a bride to churche, je mayne.
1700. Dryden, Ovid’s Metam., XII. 267. He had either led Thy Mother then; or was by Promise ty’d.
1812. Landor, Ct. Julian, V. iii. 5. He leads her to the altar, to the throne.
1842. Tennyson, Ld. of Burleigh, 11. He … leads her to the village altar.
c. fig. (a) In opposition to drive: To guide by persuasion as contrasted with commands or threats. (b) To lead by the nose (for the allusion cf. quot. 1604): to cause to obey submissively. Also † to lead by the sleeve.
c. 1425. Lydg., Assembly of Gods, 1680. How false idolatry ledeth hem by the sleue.
1583. Golding, Calvin on Deut. cxxi. 745. Men … suffer themselues to bee led by the noses like brute beasts.
1589. Puttenham, Eng. Poesie, III. xxiv. (Arb.), 299. Princes may be lead but not driuen.
1604. Shaks., Oth., I. iii. 407. The Moore … will as tenderly be lead by th’ Nose As Asses are.
1631. Star Chamb. Cases (Camden), 20. You shall meete with ignorant Juryes, your duty is to open their eyes, you may not leade them by the nose.
1749. Smollett, Gil Blas (1797), III. 77. They [the great] have favourite domestics who lead them by the nose.
1856. Kingsley, Plays & Purit., 211. A mob of fools and knaves, led by the nose in each generation by a few arch-fools and arch-knaves.
1862. Temple Bar, IV. 167. She might be led, but would not be driven.
d. intr. (quasi-passive). To be led; to submit to being led.
1607. Markham, Caval., I. (1617), 75. Till hee be so tame … that he will leade vppe and downe quietlye.
1822. Scott, Pirate, xxiv. My mester may lead, but he winna drive.
1887. I. R., Lady’s Ranche Life in Montana, 148. In the morning the pupils [colts] have learnt their lesson, and will lead anywhere.
5. To guide with reference to action or opinion; to bring by persuasion or counsel to or into a condition; to conduct by argument or representation to a conclusion; to induce to do something. Said both of persons and motives, circumstances, evidence, etc.
a. 1225. Leg. Kath., 261. Þe feont … leadeð [men] to unbileaue.
a. 1300. Cursor M., 26696. He said þar-till his wijf him ledde.
c. 1330. Spec. Gy Warw., 62. Þe world þurw his foule gile Haþ me lad to longe while.
c. 1380. Wyclif, Sel. Wks., III. 445. Herby bene man lad in to fendus temptacioun.
1422. trans. Secreta Secret., Priv. Priv., 217. Al accordid, that kynde lad the chylde that to done.
1538. Starkey, England, I. ii. 30. The wyl of man ever commynly folowyth that to the wych opynyon … ledyth hyt.
1586. Hunsdon, in Border Papers (1894), I. 367. Sondrie cawses … leades me greatlie to mistrust the Kinges good meaning towards her Majesty.
a. 1605. Montgomerie, Devot. Poems, iii. 26. To lyf that leddie sall the leid.
1611. Bible, Transl. Pref., 1. Bruit-beasts led with sensualitie.
1651. Hobbes, Leviath., II. xxx. 177. They ought not to be led with admiration of the vertue [etc.].
1711. Addison, Spect., No. 40, ¶ 1. This Error they have been led into by a ridiculous Doctrine in modern Criticism.
1736. Butler, Anal., Introd., Wks. 1874, I. 9. Our whole nature leads us to ascribe all moral perfection to God.
1859. Ruskin, Two Paths, App. 1. (1891), 251. Tintoret … may lead you wrong if you don’t understand him.
1861. M. Pattison, Ess. (1889), I. 41. Edward’s foreign policy led him to draw closer the ties which connected our country with Germany.
1871. B. Stewart, Heat, § 239. In studying the radiation of gases we are led to some very peculiar laws.
1885. Sir H. Cotton, in Law Rep. 29 Ch. Div. 479. There was nothing in the prospectus to lead him to such a conclusion.
1888. H. F. Lester, Hartas Maturin, II. vi. 122. She knew the colonel was easily led.
absol. 1597. Bacon, Colours Gd. & Evil (Arb.), 138. Besides their power to alter the nature of the subiect in appearance, and so leade to error.
6. Of a way, road, etc.: To serve as a passage for, conduct (a person) to or into a place. Hence absol. or intr., to have a specified goal or direction. Cf. L. via ducit in urbem. Often in fig. contexts.
a. 1200. Moral Ode, 337. Læte we … þe wei bene þe lat þe niȝeðe del to helle of manne.
c. 1200. Ormin, 12916. Forr þiss Lamb iss þatt rihhte stih Þatt ledeþþ upp till heffne.
1340. Ayenb., 165. Þet is þe way þet let in-to þe helle of god.
c. 1375. Sc. Leg. Saints, xviii. (Egipciane), 843. Gyf he … wald kene me the gat, þat mycht me led to the flume Iordane.
1382. Wyclif, Matt. vii. 14. How streit is the ȝate and narewe the weye that ledith to lyf.
1509. Bury Wills (Camden), 112. Ye hygheway … ledyng toward Ipswych.
1526. Pilgr. Perf. (W. de W., 1531), 14. Yet bothe entendeth to go the iourney that ledeth to the hye Jerusalem.
1603. Shaks., Meas. for M., IV. i. 33. A little doore, Which from the Vineyard to the Garden leades.
1621. Lady M. Wroth, Urania, 452. The way of necessity leading me to follow my disdainer.
1710. Steele, Tatler, No. 194, ¶ 2. There was a single Bridge that led into the Island.
1720. Ozell, Vertot’s Rom. Rep., II. IX. 48. There were but two Ways that led equally to all the Dignities of the Republick.
1780. A. Young, Tour Irel., I. 288. The end of the lake at your feet is formed by the root of Mangerton, on whose side the road leads.
1791. Mrs. Radcliffe, Rom. Forest, ii. La Motte ascended the stairs that led to the tower.
1821. Clare, Vill. Minstr., I. 122. My rambles led me to a gipsy’s camp.
1861. Temple Bar, II. 547. Broad steps lead down into a garden.
1884. J. Colborne, Hicks Pasha, 69. Then comes the eternal arid plain leading to the barren hills.
1889. Repentance P. Wentworth, I. ix. 187. Their road … led them through a little copse.
b. intr. To form a channel into, a connecting link to (something).
1833. Act 3 & 4 Will. IV., c. 46 § 95. One waste or foul water pipe … to communicate with any drain … leading into a common sewer.
1851. Illustr. Catal. Gt. Exhib., 361. Motion is … communicated to the rudder by means of two connecting rods leading to the tiller.
c. intr. To lead to: to have as a result or consequence.
a. 1770. Jortin, Serm. (1771), IV. vi. 119. Pride seldom leads to truth in points of morality.
1845. Sarah Austin, Ranke’s Hist. Ref., I. 277. The general disapprobation excited by the church on such weighty points, naturally led to a discussion of its other abuses.
1861. M. Pattison, Ess. (1889), I. 43. Several seizures of English cargoes led to reprisals on our part; reprisals led to a naval war.
1875. Bryce, Holy Rom. Emp., iv. (ed. 5), 35. The victory of Tolbiac led to the submission of the Alemanni.
1885. Manch. Exam., 8 July, 5/3. Mr. Beecher’s former opinion that smoking leads to drinking.
7. To lead (a person) a dance: transf. and fig., to put to the trouble of hurrying from place to place; hence, to compel to go through a course of irksome action. To lead (a person) a chase: lit. to give (a pursuer) trouble by one’s speed or circuitous course; also fig. Also (by association with sense 12) to lead a person a life.
a. 1529, 1599. [see DANCE sb. 6 b].
1601. Shaks., All’s Well, II. iii. 49. Why he’s able to leade her a Carranto.
1607. Heywood, Wom. Killed (1617), A 3. That’s the dance her Husband meanes to leade her.
1711. Addison, Spect., No. 89, ¶ 2. You know … my Passion for Mrs. Martha, and what a Dance she has led me.
1715. De Foe, Fam. Instruct., I. iv. (1841), 77. I’ll lead her such a life she shall have little comfort of me.
1850. Mrs. Jameson, Leg. Monast. Ord. (1863), 64. They led St. Guthlac such a life, that [etc.].
1861. Temple Bar, IV. 53. He … often leads them a fine chace over hill and dale.
1883. Fenn, Middy & Ensign, xvii. 107. The chaps would lead him such a life.
1892. Baring-Gould, in Cornh. Mag., July, 15. How can the captain so forget himself as to lead them a paper chase?
1892. ‘Hesba Stretton,’ in Sunday Mag., Aug., 509/2. She had led him the life of a dog.
8. With an inanimate thing as object. a. To conduct (water, occas. steam) through a channel or pipe. Cf. L. aquam ducere. Also with away, forth, off, out.
c. 1205. Lay., 15952. Þis wæter wes al ilæde.
1382. Wyclif, Prov. v. 16. Ben lad out thi wellis withoute forth.
1842. Jrnl. R. Agric. Soc., III. II. 273. Deep beds of peat, from which the water has been led off by open drains. Ibid. (1865), Ser. II. I. II. 276. Water may be led away from a hillside and form a perennial stream of the greatest value.
1892. Chamb. Jrnl., 4 June, 360/1. A dam and shoot were constructed … to lead the water away faster. Ibid. (1893), 28 Jan., 61/1. The steam … being led by a bamboo pipe to other vessels.
b. To guide the course or direction of (something flexible); † to train (a vine), † to trace (a line, a boundary); to draw or pass (a rope, etc.) over a pulley, through a hole, etc.
c. 1050. in Thorpe, Dipl. Angl., 376. Þa ilcan þe him ær landʓemære læddon.
1398. Trevisa, Barth. De P. R., XVII. clxxvii. (1495), 719. Vynes mow be lad wyth rayllynge aboute houses and townes.
1607. Topsell, Four-f. Beasts (1658), 441. The nose is blackish, a line being softly led through the length, and only through the top of the outside thereof.
1669. Sturmy, Mariner’s Mag., V. 3. Ten small sticks, which let him that leadeth the Chain, carry in his Hand before.
1834–47. J. S. Macaulay, Field Fortif. (1851), 219. A charge is laid on the floor … and it is fired with a hose led outside.
1841. J. T. Hewlett, Parish Clerk, I. 79. Bleed and blister, lead a mane, dock a tail.
1869. Boutell, Arms & Arm., viii. (1874), 142. System of pulleys, over which strong cords are led.
1876. Preece & Sivewright, Telegraphy, 37. The insulated wire … is led up through the copper sulphate.
1885. R. Bridges, Eros & Psyche, March, 25. Olive-border’d clouds o’er lilac led.
1892. T. Southwell, in Longm. Mag., Nov., 88. This is done by means of three ropes attached to the top line and led through blocks fixed to stakes at the bottom of the river to the eel-setter’s hut on the shore.
c. Naut. intr. Of a rope: To admit of being ‘led.’
c. 1860. H. Stuart, Seaman’s Catech., 38. The reef tackle leads through the upper sheave of the sister block.
1867. Smyth, Sailor’s Word-bk., Fair-lead, is applied to ropes as suffering the least friction in a block, when they are said to lead fair.
† d. To guide, steer (a boat); to guide, drive (a carriage; cf. F. conduire); to guide (a pen). Obs.
1377. Langl., P. Pl., B. II. 179. Cartesadel the comissarie owre carte shal he lede.
c. 1380. Wyclif, Serm., Sel. Wks. I. 12. Lede þe boot into þe hey see.
c. 1384. Chaucer, H. Fame, II. 434. Pheton, wolde lede Algate his fader carte, and gye.
1430. Lydg., Bochas, V. vii. (1554), 127. To holde the plough and lede it with his hond.
1484. Caxton, Fables of Æsop, II. xvi. Of a carter whiche ladde a Charyot or carte whiche a Mule drewe forthe.
1552. Latimer, Serm., St. Andrew’s Day (1584), 241. Our Saviour … saith to Peter, Duc in altum—Lead thy boate into the deepe.
1567. Satir. Poems Reform., iii. 49. With Romaine hand he could weill leid ane pen.
¶ 3. In literalisms of translation; = L. ducere and its compounds.
1382. Wyclif, Exod. xxvi. 37. Fyue pilers … before the whiche shal the tente be lad. Ibid., Ezek. v. 1. Take to thee … rasour, shauynge heeris;… thou shalt lede it bi thin heed, and bi thi beerd. Ibid., Mark xiv. 47. Oon of men stondinge aboute, leding out a swerd, smot the seruaunt of the hiȝeste prest.
† f. To multiply (a number into another). Obs.
c. 1430. Arte of Nombryng (E.E.T.S.), 15. Lede the rote of o quadrat into the roote of the oþer quadrat, and þan wolle the meene shew. Ibid., 17. A digit, the whiche lade in hymself cubikly [etc.].
† 9. To conduct (affairs); to manage, govern.
c. 1200. Ormin, 17238. To ledenn a þe bodiȝ rihht All affterr Godess lare.
a. 1300. Cursor M., 4256. Þan was ioseph bath luued and dred Wit wisdom al his werkes ledd.
c. 1320. Cast. Love, 306. Wiþ-outen þeos foure wiþ worschipe Mai no Kyng lede gret lordschipe.
a. 1366[?]. Chaucer, Rom. Rose, 400. She had no-thing hir-self to lede … More than a child of two yeer olde.
1375. Barbour, Bruce, I. 38. Alexander the King … That Scotland haid to steyr and leid.
1398. Trevisa, Barth. De P. R., I. (1495), 2. This game rule and lede And bringe it to a good ende.
c. 1470. Golagros & Gaw., 48. Ask leif at the lord, yone landis suld leid.
1567. Gude & Godlie Ball. (S.T.S.), 41. Gif thai heir not the Law, quhilk suld thame leide Than sall thay not in ony wayis beleif.
absol. a. 1300. Cursor M., 28277. Maister o childer i was sum-quare, I ledd noght lele wit my lare.
1579. Spenser, Sheph. Cal., July, 185. For shepeheards (sayd he) there doen leade, As Lordes done other where.
† b. refl. To conduct oneself, behave, act. Obs.
c. 1200. Ormin, 1246. Ȝiff þu þe ledesst all wiþþ skill.
c. 1250. Gen. & Ex., 2301. Hu he sulden hem best leden.
a. 1300. Cursor M., 8470. Hu þat he agh him for to lede.
c. 1375. Sc. Leg. Saints, xxx. (Theodera), 833. In vertuise … he … sa can hyme-selfe leyde þat … þai … mad hyme abbot.
† 10. To deal with, treat (cf. GUIDE v. 5). In pa. pple.: Circumstanced, situated, in such and such a condition.
c. 1205. Lay., 8726. Heo weoren swiðe uuele ilæd. Ibid., 27713. Þer weoren Rom-leoden reouliche iledde.
a. 1225. Leg. Kath., 624. Hu me ham walde þreatin ant leaden unlaheliche.
c. 1340. Cursor M., 13787 (Trin.). For so in sekenes am I lad þat [etc.].
1362. Langl., P. Pl., A. III. 152. Heo ledeth the lawe as hire luste.
c. 1450. Merlin, 331. Whan he saugh the kynge Rion so euell I-ledde, it a-noyed hym sore.
c. 1489. Caxton, Sonnes of Aymon, iii. 81. Thise glotons that leden our folke so cursedly.
II. To carry on.
† 11. To engage or take part in, to perform (dances, songs), to utter (joyful or mournful) sounds. Cf. L. ducere carmen, choros, G. die reihen führen. Obs.
A different sense of to lead a dance appears under sense 13.
a. 1000. Andreas, 1477 (Gr.). He wæs eft swa ær lof lædende.
c. 1250. Gen. & Ex., 699. Of ðis kinge wil we leden songe.
a. 1300. Cursor M., 28147. Caroles, iolites, and plaies, Ic haue be-haldyn and ledde in ways.
c. 1325. Coer de L., 3739. The damyseles lede daunse.
13[?]. Gaw. & Gr. Knt., 1894. Ȝet is þe lorde on þe launde, ledande his gomnes.
1382. Wyclif, Judith iii. 10. Ledende dauncis in trumpis and timbris.
c. 1489. Caxton, Sonnes of Aymon, xx. 446. I have seen Reynawd, Alard, guychard, & Rychard ledyng grete joye wyth grete company of Knyghtes.
1493. Festivall (W. de W., 1515), 26 b. Thou hast thyn armes spredde to lede karolles and daunces.
12. To go through, pass (life, † a portion of time). Cf. L. ducere vitam, Gr. ἄγειν βίον, etc. Rarely, † To support life by (bread) † Also with forth.
c. 900. trans. Bæda’s Hist., IV. xxviii. [xxvii.] (1890), 360. Se ær in medmyclum ealonde, þæt is Farne nemned, ancorlif lædde.
a. 1000. Boeth. Metr., vii. 40 (Gr.). Forðon orsorʓ lif ealniʓ lædað woruldmen wise buton wendinge.
c. 1175. Lamb. Hom., 89. God sette e þam israelisce folce hu heo sculden heore lif leaden.
c. 1200. Ormin, 9359. Þatt haffdenn ledd aȝȝ þeȝȝre lif Affterr þe flæshess wille.
a. 1300. Cursor M., 4027. He ledd his liue wit-vten blam. Ibid., 13279. Wit þair fissing war þai fedd And pouer liuelade þai ledd.
a. 1366[?]. Chaucer, Rom. Rose, 216. She … ladde hir lyf only by breed Kneden with eisel.
1393. Langl., P. Pl., C. XVII. 18. That al here lyf leden in lowenesse and in pouerte.
c. 1425. Seven Sag. (P.), 232. To have another wyf, For to ledde with thy lif.
1523. Ld. Berners, Froiss., I. xxiii. 32. Thus this lady ledde forth her lyfe ther mekely.
1569. J. Rogers, Gl. Godly Loue, 178. Very few leade lyves … according to the lawes of Christe.
1579. Lyly, Euphues (Arb.), 189. He may at his leasure … lead his Winter in Athens his Summer in Naples [etc.].
1612. H. Peacham, Minerva Brit., 46. Heere sits Repentance, solitarie, sad,… As greeuing for the life, that she hath lad.
a. 1661. Fuller, Worthies (1840), I. 276. He led his old age in London.
1710. Steele, Tatler, No. 166, ¶ 2. The Tastless Manner of Life, which a Set of idle Fellows lead in this Town.
1819. Crabbe, T. of Hall, XII. They led in comfort a domestic life.
1821. Keats, Lamia, I. 312. In Corinth … she … had led Days as happy as [etc.].
1856. Froude, Hist. Eng. (1858), I. i. 13. That no human being should be at liberty to lead at his own pleasure an unaccountable existence.
1873. Browning, Red Cott. Nt.-cap, 156. Do lead your own life and let ours alone!
† b. To pass through (pain, suffering); to bear, endure.
a. 1300. Cursor M., 15703. Þe strang soru þat he ledd can na man rede in run.
c. 1330. R. Brunne, Chron. (1810), 15. Suffre not Sir Frethebald long to lede þis pyne.
c. 1435. Torr. Portugal, 1054. Yt ys wylle the worse to lede.
c. 1475. Partenay, 3785. Non knew the sorow by thaim lade and bore.
III. To precede, be foremost. (Cf. sense 2.)
13. To have the first place in; to march in the front line of; lit. and fig. esp. in to lead the dance (see DANCE sb. 6), to lead the van.
c. 1380, a. 1616. [see DANCE sb. 6].
1697. Dryden, Æneid, IX. 31. Messapus leads the Van. Ibid., XI. 905. Asylas leads the Chase.
1736. Lediard, Life Marlborough, I. 98. The Grenadiers … led the Van.
1839. Bailey, Festus, v. (1848), 49. May our country ever lead The world, for she is worthiest.
1865. Lowell, Wks. (1890), V. 285. A commonwealth whose greatest sin it has been to lead the van in freedom of opinion.
1869. A. W. Ward, trans. Curtius’ Hist. Greece, II. III. iii. 478. In ancient times the choregi themselves led the chorus.
1884. Bp. Hannington, in Graphic, 23 Aug., 203/1. Your cousin Gordon and I, with our boys, had led the van all the morning.
1893. J. Ralph, in Harper’s Mag., Feb., 385/2. Of the causes, phthisis pulmonalis and pneumonia led the list.
b. absol. To go first, to have the first place. Also with off.
1798. Capt. Millar, Aug., in Nicolas, Disp. Nelson, VII. p. cliv. The Goliath was leading, the Zealous next.
1824–9. Landor, Imag. Conv., Wks. 1846, II. 249. The mounted slave … led off with his master’s charger.
1892. Sat. Rev., 2 July, 10/2. The boat with the new white canvas was leading by two hundred yards.
1900. May Byron, in Blackw. Mag., June, 789.
| The twilight sank and the darkness settled, | |
| The Admiral’s frigate led: | |
| She took the waves like a steed high-mettled, | |
| And thus to his men he said: [etc.]. |
fig. 1858. Greener, Gunnery, 300. If we take thirty or thirty-five yards’ distance as an average, the latter will not ‘lead’ in the race.
1891. Pall Mall Gaz., 20 Oct., 6/1. The small hats which are to lead for the coming season.
14. intr. a. Mus. (See quot. 1880.) b. Change-ringing. Of a bell: To have the ‘lead’ (see LEAD sb.2 8 a).
1671. Stedman, Tintinnalogia, 82. Every bell leads four times, and lies behind twice, except when [etc.].
1880. Grove, Dict. Mus., Lead, to, in fugues or imitative music, is to go off first with a point or subject, which is afterwards taken up by the other parts successively. Thus in the Amen Chorus in the Messiah the bass ‘leads.’
15. trans. To direct by one’s example; to set (a fashion); to take the directing or principal part in (proceedings of any kind); to be chief of (a party, a movement); to have the official initiative in the proceedings of (a deliberative body).
1642. Fuller, Holy & Prof. St., III. xxv. 228. They should rather lead a fashion of thrift, than follow one of riot.
1697. Humfrey, Righteousn. God, I. 2. The Trent Doctrine (which is the perfect Papists) I must confess, is lead them by St. Austine.
1841. W. Spalding, Italy & It. Isl., II. 266. The famous insurrection led by Masaniello.
1872. C. E. Maurice, Stephen Langton, i. 22. The Abbot of St. Augustine helped to lead the movement which wrung the liberties of Kent from the Conqueror.
1880. C. R. Markham, Peruv. Bark, 335. The Government should retain the chinchona plantations, and continue to lead the cultivation.
1891. Sat. Rev., 31 Oct., 494/1. In the year 1875, when Mr. DISRAELI still led the House of Commons.
1892. Pall Mall Gaz., 15 Sept., 7/1. He was able to lead the work himself.
1892. Eng. Illustr. Mag., IX. 867. in conversation he seems rather to be led than to lead.
b. To take the directing part in (singing, a musical performance), to perform one’s own part so as to guide the others; so to lead a band, an orchestra. Similarly, to lead the prayers (of a congregation), to lead (a congregation) in prayer. Also absol.
1849. Chambers’s Inform., II. 764/2. Sometimes a tenor voice will attempt to lead the trebles.
1859. G. A. Lawrence, Sword & Gown, v. 51. He is so very anxious to get Cecil to lead the singing in church.
1866. G. Macdonald, Ann. Q. Neighb., xiii. (1878), 245. This fine old church in which I was honoured to lead the prayers of my people.
1880. Goldw. Smith, Cowper, iii. 41. Cowper himself was made to do violence to his intense shyness by leading in prayer.
1883. Fenn, Middy & Ensign, xxvi. 159. He … led the chorus, which was lustily trolled out by all present.
1891. Graphic, 31 Oct., 518/3. The Duke of Edinburgh had a busy visit to Bristol, where he went to lead the orchestra at the concert in aid of St. Agnes’ Industrial Home.
1892. Mary E. Wilkins, in Harper’s Mag., May, 821/2. A woman in the same seat with Mrs. Field led the singing.
16. Of a barrister: a. trans. To act as leading counsel in (a cause); to act as leader to (another barrister); to take precedence of. b. absol. or intr.
1806–7. J. Beresford, Miseries Hum. Life (1826), I. Introd. Were I however employed to lead the cause on our side.
1862. A. Trollope, Orley Farm, I. xxxiv. 268. Of course I must lead in defending her.
1883. [see LEADER 3 c].
1884. Law Times, 11 Oct. LXXVII. 384/1. It has been the practice of English Queen’s Counsel to lead colonial Queen’s Counsel in appeals before the Judicial Committee.
17. Carl-playing. a. intr. To play the first card in a round or trick. Also with off. Said also of the card. To lead to or up to: to play a card in order to bring out (cards held by another player). Also in indirect pass.
1677. Miége, Eng.-Fr. Dict., s.v., To lead (in Cards), jouër le premier.
1727–52. Chambers, Cycl., s.v. Ombre, Matadores … are not obliged to attend an inferior trump when it leads.
1742. Hoyle, Whist, 11. When you lead, begin with the best Suit in your Hand.
1863. ‘Cavendish,’ Whist (ed. 5), 75. You would often do better to … lead up to the weak suit of your right-hand adversary, or through the strong suit of your left-hand adversary. Ibid. (1879), Card Ess., etc. 110. Lead originally from your strongest suit. Ibid., 165. He led off with his own strongest suit.
1892. Field, 16 July, 120/1. He was keeping his tenace to be led to.
b. trans. As first player, to play (a specified card); to play one of (a suit or a specified suit). Also with out.
1731. Swift, Death Dr. Swift, 239. I lead a heart.
1742. Hoyle, Whist (1763), 5. Let us suppose the right-hand Adversary leads a Suit.
1778. C. Jones, Hoyle’s Games Impr., 90. Lead Punto.
1843. Thackeray, Ravenswing, v. You led the club.
1879. ‘Cavendish,’ Card Ess., etc. 111. It is an excellent plan to lead out first one suit and then another. Ibid., 171. I led knave of diamonds … The club was then led through me. Ibid., 198. I led the king of trumps.
1891. Field, 28 Nov., 843/1. He ought in any case to lead trumps.
IV. In idiomatic combination with adverbs. (For the non-specialized combinations, see the several senses and the advs.)
18. Lead away. a. trans. To induce to follow unthinkingly. Chiefly in passive: to yield to enthusiasm, to give credence to misrepresentation.
1736. Lediard, Life Marlborough, III. 163. Some Men are led away by the Spirit of Party.
1861. Temple Bar, II. 395. Grace is easily led away.
b. Naut. To lead it away: to take one’s course.
1720. De Foe, Capt. Singleton, xiii. (1840), 229. We led it away, with the wind large, to the Maldives.
19. Lead off. a. trans. To ‘open,’ take the first steps in (a dance, a ball); hence gen. to begin, make a beginning in; to open (a conversation or discussion). Const. with. b. intr. or absol.
a. 1881. Mrs. Lynn Linton, My Love, I. xiii. 229. The twins leading off the family ball.
1890. A. Gissing, Vill. Hampden, II. iv. 66. The dance … was led off to the popular strains of the ‘Keel-Row.’
1893. Illustr. Lond. News, 28 Jan., 109/2. A well-known dramatic critic led off the congratulations.
b. 1806. R. Cumberland, Mem. of himself, 18. On some occasions, she would persist in a determined taciturnity, to the regret of the company present; and at other times would lead off in her best manner.
1809. Malkin, Gil Blas, III. v. ¶ 8. I led off with five or six coxcombical bows.
1862. Temple Bar, IV. 500. The primo tenore … leads off with ‘Hard times no more.’
1882. Stevenson, Fam. Stud., 267. A boy of fifteen to lead off with a lass of seventeen.
1893. Constance Fenimore Woolson, in Harper’s Mag., Jan., 210/2. He led off with his companion in a sort of quickstep (as he had no skates).
20. Lead on. a. trans. To induce gradually to advance; to entice or beguile into going to greater lengths. b. intr. To direct conversation to a subject.
1598. Shaks., Merry W., II. i. 98. Giue him a show of comfort in his Suit, and lead him on with a fine baited delay.
1833. Keble, Serm., vi. (1848), 141. She will continually be led on from bad to worse.
1840. Dickens, Old C. Shop, vi. I’ve led her on to tell her secret.
1891. F. W. Robinson, Her Love & His Life, III. VI. ix. 195. Mike led on to the one subject which engrossed him.
1891. Mrs. Henniker, Sir George, vi. 113. Don’t pretend, now, you didn’t encourage and lead me on.
21. Lead out. trans. = Lead off 19 a. Also, to conduct (a partner) to the dance.
1818. Scott, Br. Lamm., xxxv. The picture of Auld Sir Malise Ravenswood came down on the ha’ floor, and led out the brawl before them a’.
1859. Reade, Love me little, xiv. (1868), 190. The stable-boy … leading out one of the housemaids … proceeded to country dancing.
absol. 1776. S. J. Pratt, Pupil of Pleas. (1777), I. 172. The soft things he said, while we led out.
22. Lead up. a. trans. = Lead off 19 a. ? Obs.
1731. Lady M. W. Montagu, Poems, Farewell to Bath, v. I’ve led up many a ball.
1754. Richardson, Grandison, VI. xxvii. 166. What a frolic dance will she and her new husband, in a little while, lead up.
1766. Goldsm., Vic. W., ix. Mr. Thornhill and my eldest daughter led up the ball.
1799. Mar. Edgeworth, Pog. Tales, Limerick Gloves, i. She did not object to her own Jenny’s leading up the ball.
b. intr. To lead up to: to prepare gradually for; to form a gradual preparation for.
1861. Temple Bar, IV. 101. The circumstances which led up to the explosion of the … conspiracy.
1880. McCarthy, Own Times, III. xlv. 381. Perhaps he had deliberately led up to this very point.
1892. Westcott, Gospel of Life, Pref. 22. All earlier history leads up to the Incarnation.
1892. Sat. Rev., 2 Jan., 16/2. The harlequinade … is led up to by a tasteful transformation scene.
