steady

Alternative forms

• steddy, stedy

Etymology

From Middle English stede, stedi, stidiʒ, from Old English stæþþiġ, from stæþ (“stead, bank”), equivalent to stathe +‎ -y or stead +‎ -y. Cognate with West Frisian stadich (“slow”), Danish stedig, stadig, steeg, Swedish stadig, Icelandic stöðugur, Middle Dutch stedigh, German stätig, stetig.

Pronunciation

• enPR: stĕdʹi, IPA^(key): /ˈstɛdi/

• Audio (US)

  (file)

Adjective

steady (comparative steadier, superlative steadiest)

1. Firm in standing or position; not tottering or shaking; fixed; firm.

   Hold the ladder steady while I go up.

   • Sir Philip Sidney (1554-1586)

     Their feet steady, their hands diligent, their eyes watchful, and their hearts resolute.

   • 1879, R[ichard] J[efferies], chapter 1, in The Amateur Poacher, London: Smith, Elder, & Co., […], OCLC 752825175, page 035:

     But then I had the flintlock by me for protection. ¶ There were giants in the days when that gun was made; for surely no modern mortal could have held that mass of metal steady to his shoulder. The linen-press and a chest on the top of it formed, however, a very good gun-carriage; and, thus mounted, aim could be taken out of the window, […].

   • 1915, Emerson Hough, The Purchase Price, chapterI:

     Captain Edward Carlisle, soldier as he was, martinet as he was, felt a curious sensation of helplessness seize upon him as he met her steady gaze, her alluring smile ; he could not tell what this prisoner might do.

2. Constant in feeling, purpose, or pursuit; not fickle, changeable, or wavering; not easily moved or persuaded to alter a purpose; resolute.

   a man steady in his principles, in his purpose, or in the pursuit of an object

3. Smooth and not bumpy or with obstructions.

   a steady ride

4. Regular and even.

   the steady course of the Sun;  a steady breeze of wind

5. Slow.

Verb

steady (third-person singular simple present steadies, present participle steadying, simple past and past participle steadied)

1. To stabilize something; to prevent from shaking.

Noun

steady (plural steadies)

1. (informal) A regular boyfriend or girlfriend.
2. (informal) A prostitute's regular customer.
   • 2013, Sheila Foster, Soho Whore

     Some of my steadies wanted me to go out with them on a date. Occasionally I let one of them take me to a film or out for a meal.

Further reading

• steady in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913
• steady in The Century Dictionary, The Century Co., New York, 1911
• steady at OneLook Dictionary Search

Anagrams

• stayed