Dictionary

onstead en · NOUN

Etymology

With loss of original w-, due to Scandinavian una (“to reside, dwell”), from *wonstead, from won (“to reside, dwell”) + stead. More at wone, stead. Alternatively, possibly a corruption of homestead.

Meanings

1. (Scotland, UK, archaic, dialectal) A single farmhouse; a steading.
   • The farm onsteads on many properties are old, and afford too little accommodation 1737, Mr David Wilson, “on the Present State of the Upper Ward of Lanarkshire”, in Prize-essays and Transactions of the Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland:
   • The onstead, which is nearly the same as when inhabited by the poet, lies about seven miles from the town, on the right hand side of the road, surrounded by a few trees. 1828, Robert Chambers, The Picture of Scotland, volume 1, page 232:
   • We then did a house at Mowhaugh, and a farm-house at Stodrig, and a part of an onstead. I did the wrightwork of a house at Bemersyde, and an onstead at Butchercote. 1875, Rev. John Thomson, Life and Times of William Thomson:

Forms