What is "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.

   If a blind man lead a blind man, both fall down in the ditch.
   --Wyclif (Matt. xv. 14.)

   They thrust him out of the city, and led him unto the brow of the hill.
   --Luke iv. 29.

   In thy right hand lead with thee The mountain nymph, sweet Liberty.
   --Milton.

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. The Lord went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them the way. --Ex. xiii. 2

   1. He leadeth me beside the still waters.
      --Ps. xxiii.

   2. This thought might lead me through the world's vain mask. Content, though blind, had I no better guide.
      --Milton.

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.

   Christ took not upon him flesh and blood that he might conquer and rule nations, lead armies, or possess places.
   --South.

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 (Rev. Ver.).

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).

   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.