Part 765

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.

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"fast (?), a. [Stead + fast, that is, fast in place.] [Written also stedfast.] 1. Firmly fixed or established; fast fixed; firm. "This steadfast globe of earth." Spenser.

2. Not fickle or wavering; constant; firm; resolute; unswerving; steady. "Steadfast eye." Shak.

Abide steadfast unto him [thy neighbor] in the time of his trouble.

Ecclus. xxii. 23.

Whom resist steadfast in the faith.

1 Pet. v. 9.

Stead"fast*ly, adv. In a steadfast manner; firmly.

Steadfast believe that whatever God has revealed is infallibly true.

Wake.

Stead"fast*ness, n. The quality or state of being steadfast; firmness; fixedness; constancy. "The steadfastness of your faith." Col. ii. 5.

To prove her wifehood and her steadfastness.

Chaucer.

Stead"i*ly (?), adv. In a steady manner.

Stead"i*ness, n. The quality or state of being steady.

Steadiness is a point of prudence as well as of courage.

L'Estrange.

Syn. -- Constancy; resolution; unchangeableness.