stead
1. stead \'sted\ n [ME stede, fr. OE; akin to OHG stat place, sta-n to stand] obs 1: LOCALITY, PLACE 2: ADVANTAGE, SERVICE - used chiefly in the phrase to stan d one in good stead 3: the office, place, or function ordinarily occupied or carried out by som eone or something else 2. stead vt : to be of avail : HELP