Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Stead \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.

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.

Source : WordNet®

stead
     n : the function or position properly or customarily occupied or
         served by another; "can you go in my stead?"; "took his
         place"; "in lieu of" [syn: {position}, {place}, {lieu}]