Main Entry: ¹lead

Pronunciation: \ˈlēd\

Function: verb

Inflected Form(s): led \ˈled\; lead·ing

Etymology: Middle English leden, from Old English lǣdan; akin to Old High German leiten to lead, Old English līthan to go

Date: before 12th century

transitive verb 1 a : to guide on a way especially by going in advance b : to direct on a course or in a direction c : to serve as a channel for <a pipe leads water to the house>
2 : to go through : live <lead a quiet life>
3 a (1) : to direct the operations, activity, or performance of <lead an orchestra> (2) : to have charge of <lead a campaign> (3) : to suggest to (a witness) the answer desired by asking leading questions b (1) : to go at the head of <lead a parade> (2) : to be first in or among <lead the league> (3) : to have a margin over <led his opponent>
4 : to bring to some conclusion or condition <led to believe otherwise>
5 : to begin play with <lead trumps>
6 a : to aim in front of (a moving object) <lead a duck> b : to pass a ball or puck just in front of (a moving teammate)intransitive verb 1 a : to guide someone or something along a way b : to lie, run, or open in a specified place or direction <path leads uphill> c : to guide a dance partner through the steps of a dance
2 a : to be first b (1) : begin, open (2) : to play the first card of a trick, round, or game
3 : to tend toward or have a result <study leading to a degree>
4 : to direct the first of a series of blows at an opponent in boxing

synonyms see guide

— lead one down the garden path also lead one up the garden path : hoodwink, deceive