Chapter Layer to Leader of L by Webster's Dictionary (1913 Edition)

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

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

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.

Lead
(Lead) v. i.

1. To guide or conduct, as by accompanying, going before, showing, influencing, directing with authority, etc.; to have precedence or preëminence; 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 leadoff or out, to go first; to begin.

Lead
(Lead), n.

1. The act of leading or conducting; guidance; direction; as, to take the lead; to be under the lead of another.

At the time I speak of, and having a momentary lead, . . . I am sure I did my country important service.

Burke.

2. Precedence; advance position; also, the measure of precedence; as, the white horse had the lead; a lead of a boat's length, or of half a second.

3. (Cards & Dominoes) The act or right of playing first in a game or round; the card suit, or piece, so played; as, your partner has the lead.

4. An open way in an ice field. Kane.