steady
Forms
- Comparative
- steadier
- Superlative
- steadiest
- Plural
- steadies
- present (v1)
- steady
- past (v2)
- steadied
- past participle (v3)
- steadied
- present participle
- steadying
- 3rd person singular
- steadies
Definitions
1.Firm in standing or position; not tottering or shaking; fixed; firm.
- Hold the ladder steady while I go up.
- Their feet steady, their hands diligent, their eyes watchful, and their hearts resolute.
- 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.
3.Smooth and not bumpy or with obstructions.
4.Phlegmatic, calm; not easily upset, excited, or disturbed.
1.To stabilize; to prevent from shaking.
- I took a drink to steady my nerves.
2.To become stable.
- The ship steadied in the air. Another spray of ballast came, heavier than the last.
1.Aspect marker indicating consistency or intensity.
1.A rest or support, as for the hand, a tool, or a piece of work.
Frequency
Overall
Uncommon· #3352
By learning goal
- Everyday conversation
- Rare
- General reading & writing
- Uncommon
- Academic
- Rare
- Literature
- Rare
Etymology
From Middle English stedy, studi, stidiȝ, perhaps continuing Old English stæþþiġ, ġestæþþiġ (“steadfast, stable, firm, staid”), equivalent to stead + -y; or calquing Middle Low German or Middle Dutch stēdig. Cognate with Saterland Frisian stoadig (“steady”), West Frisian stadich (“slow”), Danish stedig, stadig, steeg, Swedish stadig, Icelandic stöðugur, German stätig, stetig.