What is "in stead of"

Stead \Stead\ (st[e^]d), 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[thorn]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, roadstead, 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.