Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary - stead

 I. noun  Etymology: Middle English stede, from Old English; akin to Old High German stat place, Old English standan to stand — more at stand  Date: before 12th century  1. obsolete locality, place  2. advantage — used chiefly in the phrase to stand one in good ~  3. the office, place, or function ordinarily occupied or carried out by someone or something else acted in his brother's ~  II. transitive verb  Date: 13th century to be of avail to ; help