Stead (stĕd), n. [OE. stede place, AS. stede; akin to LG. & D. stede, OS. stad, stedi, OHG. stat, G. statt, stätte, Icel. staðr, Dan. sted, Sw. stad, Goth. staþs, and E. stand. √163. See Stand, and cf. Staith, Stithy.] 1. Place, or spot, in general. 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.
The genial bed,
Sallow the feet, the borders, and the stead. Dryden.
4. A farmhouse and offices.
☞ The word is now commonly used as the last part of a compound; as, farmstead, homestead, roadstead, etc.
In stead of, in place of. See Instead. — To stand in stead, orTo 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.