\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.