/sted/ , n.
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. Obs. a place or locality.
3. stand in good stead , to be useful to, esp. in a critical situation: Your experience will stand you in good stead.
v.t.
4. to be of service, advantage, or avail to.
[ bef. 900; (n.) ME, OE stede; c. G Stätte place; akin to G Stadt, ON stathr, Goth staths, Gk stásis (see STASIS); (v.) ME steden, deriv. of the n. ]