Be*stead" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Bestead or Bested, also (Obs.) Bestad. In sense 3 imp. also Besteaded.] [Pref. be- + stead a place.]
1.
To put in a certain situation or condition; to circumstance; to place.
[Only in p. p.]
They shall pass through it, hardly bestead and hungry: . . . and curse their king and their God.
Is. viii. 21.
Many far worse bestead than ourselves.
Barrow.
2.
To put in peril; to beset.
[Only in p. p.]
Chaucer.
3.
To serve; to assist; to profit; to avail.
Milton.
© Webster 1913.