stead

Noun

WordNet 3.0

Noun (1)

the post or function properly or customarily occupied or served by another“can you go in my stead?”“took his place”“in lieu of”Synonyms: position place lieu

Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)

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. [1913 Webster]

Fly, therefore, fly this fearful stead anon.— Spenser.[1913 Webster]

2.Place or room which another had, has, or might have. "Stewards of your steads." --Piers Plowman. [1913 Webster]

In stead of bounds, he a pillar set.— Chaucer.[1913 Webster]

3.A frame on which a bed is laid; a bedstead. [R.] [1913 Webster]

The genial bed, Sallow the feet, the borders, and the stead.— Dryden.[1913 Webster]

4.A farmhouse and offices. [Prov. Eng. & Scot.] [1913 Webster]

Note: The word is now commonly used as the last part of a compound; as, farmstead, homestead, roadstead, etc. [1913 Webster]

In stead of, in place of. See Instead.

To stand in stead, or To do stead, to be of use or great advantage. [1913 Webster]

The smallest act . . . shall stand us in great stead.— Atterbury.[1913 Webster]

Here thy sword can do thee little stead.— Milton.[1913 Webster]

Stead \Stead\, v. t.

1.To help; to support; to benefit; to assist. [1913 Webster]

Perhaps my succour or advisement meet, Mote stead you much your purpose to subdue.— Spenser.[1913 Webster]

It nothing steads us To chide him from our eaves.— Shak.[1913 Webster]

2.To fill the place of. [Obs.] --Shak. [1913 Webster]