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in someone's/something's stead

idiom

Definition of in someone's/something's stead

formal
: in the place of someone or something
  • She conducted the meeting in his stead.
  • One empire died, and another arose in its stead.

Word by Word Definitions

someone play

  1. : some person : somebody

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something play

  1. : some indeterminate or unspecified thing

  2. : some indeterminate amount more than a specified number

  3. : a person or thing of consequence

  1. : in some degree : somewhat

  2. used as an intensive giving adverbial force to an adjective

See the full definition of something
stead play

  1. : locality, place

  2. : advantage

  3. : the office, place, or function ordinarily occupied or carried out by someone or something else

  1. : to be of avail to : help

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