The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Stead \Stead\ (st[e^]d), n. [OE. stede place, AS. stede; akin to
   LG. & D. stede, OS. stad, stedi, OHG. stat, G. statt,
   st[aum]tte, Icel. sta[eth]r, Dan. sted, Sw. stad, Goth.
   sta[thorn]s, and E. stand. [root]163. See Stand, and cf.
   Staith, Stithy.]
   1. Place, or spot, in general. [Obs., except in composition.]
      --Chaucer.
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            Fly, therefore, fly this fearful stead anon.
                                                  --Spenser.
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   2. Place or room which another had, has, or might have.
      "Stewards of your steads." --Piers Plowman.
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            In stead of bounds, he a pillar set.  --Chaucer.
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   3. A frame on which a bed is laid; a bedstead. [R.]
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            The genial bed,
            Sallow the feet, the borders, and the stead.
                                                  --Dryden.
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   4. A farmhouse and offices. [Prov. Eng. & Scot.]
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   Note: The word is now commonly used as the last part of a
         compound; as, farmstead, homestead, roadstead, etc.
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   In stead of, in place of. See Instead.

   To stand in stead, or To do stead, to be of use or great
      advantage.
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            The smallest act . . . shall stand us in great
            stead.                                --Atterbury.
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            Here thy sword can do thee little stead. --Milton.
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