Stead

n.	1.	Place, or spot, in general. Fly, therefore, fly this fearful stead anon. - Spenser.
	2.	Place or room which another had, has, or might have. 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. In stead of in place of. See Instead. To stand in 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.
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 the place of.

Noun

1.

stead - the function or position properly or customarily occupied or served by another; "can you go in my stead?"; "took his place"; "in lieu of" Synonyms: lieu, place, position

abet, abode, aid, area, assist, bearings, bench mark, district, do for, emplacement, help out, hole, latitude and longitude, lieu, locale, locality, location, locus, pinpoint, place, placement, point, position, region, site, situation, situs, spot, whereabout, whereabouts