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 1913.