Main Entry:

¹stead

Pronunciation:

\ˈsted\

Function:

noun

Etymology:

Middle English stede, from Old English; akin to Old High German stat place, Old English standan to stand — more at stand

Date:

before 12th century

1obsolete : locality, place2: advantage —used chiefly in the phrase to stand one in good stead3: the office, place, or function ordinarily occupied or carried out by someone or something else <acted in his brother's stead>