Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of Stead?

\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.