Stead \Stead\, n. [OE. stede place, AS. stede; akin to LG. & D.
stede, OS. stad, stedi, OHG. stat, G. statt, st["a]tte, Icel.
sta[eth]r, Dan. sted, Sw. stad, Goth. sta?s, and E. stand.
[root]163. See Stand, and cf. Staith, Stithy.]
1. Place, or spot, in general. [Obs., except in composition.]
--Chaucer.
Fly, therefore, fly this fearful stead anon.
--Spenser.
2. Place or room which another had, has, or might have.
``Stewards of your steads.'' --Piers Plowman.
In stead of bounds, he a pillar set. --Chaucer.
3. A frame on which a bed is laid; a bedstead. [R.]
The genial bed, Sallow the feet, the borders, and
the stead. --Dryden.
4. A farmhouse and offices. [Prov. Eng. & Scot.]
Note: The word is now commonly used as the last part of a
compound; as, farmstead, homestead, readstead, etc.
In stead of, in place of. See Instead.
To stand in stead, or To do stead, to be of use or great
advantage.
The smallest act . . . shall stand us in great
stead. --Atterbury.
Here thy sword can do thee little stead. --Milton.
Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
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