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

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