stead

[sted]

noun

1. the place of a person or thing as occupied by a successor or substitute.

   The nephew of the queen came in her stead.

2. Obsolete.,  a place or locality.

verb (used with object)

1. to be of service, advantage, or avail to.

stead

¹

/ stɛd /

noun

1. rare,  (preceded by in) the place, function, or position that should be taken by another

   to come in someone's stead

2. to be useful or of good service to (someone)

verb

1. archaic,  (tr) to help or benefit

Stead

²

/ stɛd /

noun

1. Christina ( Ellen ). 1902–83, Australian novelist. Her works include Seven Poor Men of Sydney (1934), The Man who Loved Children (1940), and Cotters' England (1966)

Word History and Origins

Origin of stead¹

before 900; (noun) Middle English, Old English stede; cognate with German Stätte place; akin to German Stadt, Old Norse stathr, Gothic staths, Greek stásis ( stasis ); (v.) Middle English steden, derivative of the noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of stead¹

Old English stede ; related to Old Norse stathr place, Old High German stat place, Latin statiō a standing, statim immediately

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. stand in good stead, to be useful to, especially in a critical situation.

   Your experience will stand you in good stead.

see in someone's shoes (stead); stand in good stead. Also see under instead.

Example Sentences

Wealthy Americans are helping keep swaths of the economy in good stead as they continue to buy first-class plane tickets and high-end sneakers, while more Americans are clipping coupons and cutting back on nonessentials.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

However, the six-time winners will be pleased with how they overcame some early problems, which should stand them in good stead for harder tests to come.

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What are these tactical principles and do they hold England in good stead for the World Cup?

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And in his stead, Shohei Ohtani was tapped to fill in on short notice, offering to take the ball two days after having his own scheduled pitching start on Wednesday scratched because of an illness.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

They have a strong team and performed well last season which I think puts them in good stead, but I don't see them challenging for the title.

Read more on BBC