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.