An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/leiten

by Friedrich Kluge

leiten, vb., from the equiv. MidHG. and OHG. ‘to lead, guide’; corresponding to OSax. lêdan, Du. leiden, AS. lœ̂dan, E. to lead, OIc. leiða. All point to a non-recorded Goth. *laidjan, which (as factitive of the OTeut. lîþan, ‘to go,’ discussed under leiden) signifies lit. ‘to cause to go’; comp. senden, which also had orig. this same meaning. With the factitive *laidjan is connected a Teut. laidô-, f., ‘leading,’ whence AS. lâd, ‘road, journey,’ in E. current only in loadstar, loadstone, and loadsman (AS. lâdmann), equiv. to ModHG. Lotse. ModHG. Leitstern, MidHG. leitstërne, m., ‘the polar star that guides the mariners, loadstar.’