lead (1 the orig. sense of the verb)
1.
to carry
All'sW. IV. iii. 300
“h'as led the drum
before the English tragedians”
; fig.
Mer.V. IV. i. 18
“That thou but lead'st
this fashion of thy malice To the last
hour of act,”
Tw.N. I. v. 262
“lead these graces to
the grave.”
2.
to take the first
steps in (a dance with a person)
All'sW. II. iii. 49
“he's able to lead her a
coranto,”
H8 I. iv. 107
“I have . . . a measure
To lead 'em once again”
; cf.
Ado II. i. 159
“We must follow the
leaders.”
3.
to go forward Tp. II. i. 331 [323] “Lead off this ground,”
Ant. II. vi. 81
“Will you lead,
lords?,”
Cym. IV. iv. 53
“Lead, lead.”
