In*stead" (?), adv. [Pref. in- + stead place.]

1. In the place or room; -- usually followed by of.

Let thistles grow of wheat. Job xxxi. 40.

Absalom made Amasa captain of the host instead of Joab. 2 Sam. xvii. 25.

2. Equivalent; equal to; -- usually with of. [R.]

This very consideration to a wise man is instead of a thousand arguments, to satisfy him, that in those times no such thing was believed. Tillotson.

-- Webster's unabridged 1913