The term WAY TO STAND can be broken down into three crossword solutions: PAT (3 letters), ERECT (5 letters), and AKIMBO (6 letters). PAT is an abbreviation for the word 'PATENT, ' which is a legal document that grants exclusive rights to an invention or process. ERECT is an adjective meaning 'UPRIGHT' or 'VERTICAL.' AKIMBO is an adverb meaning 'with hands on hips and elbows turned outward, ' which is a common stance used to express confidence or defiance. Therefore, the term WAY TO STAND can be interpreted as a PATENT-protected, UPRIGHT, and confident stance.