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stead·y (stĕdē)
Share:
adj. stead·i·er, stead·i·est
1. Firm in position or place; fixed.
2. Direct and unfaltering; sure.
3. Free or almost free from change, variation, or fluctuation; uniform: a steady increase in value; a steady breeze.
4. Not easily excited or upset: steady nerves.
5. Unwavering, as in purpose; steadfast.
6. Reliable; dependable.
7. Temperate; sober.
tr. & intr.v. stead·ied, stead·y·ing, stead·ies
To make or become steady.
interj.
Nautical
Used to direct a helmsman to keep a ship's head in the same direction: Steady as she goes!
n. pl. stead·ies
The person whom one dates regularly, usually exclusively.
steadi·er n.
steadi·ly adv.
steadi·ness n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition copyright ©2022 by HarperCollins Publishers. All rights reserved.
 

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

    Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:

    Indo-European Roots

    Semitic Roots

    The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.

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