Definitions for: Stead


[n] the function or position properly or customarily occupied or served by another; "can you go in my stead?"; "took his place"; "in lieu of"



Webster (1913) Definition: 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.


Stead, v. t.
1. To help; to support; to benefit; to assist.

Perhaps my succour or advisement meet, Mote stead
you much your purpose to subdue. --Spenser.

It nothing steads us To chide him from our eaves.
--Shak.

2. To fill place of. [Obs.] --Shak.

Synonyms: lieu, place, position

See Also: behalf, function, office, part, role

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