Stead"y (?), a.
[Compar. Steadier (?);
superl. Steadiest.] [Cf. AS. stedig
sterile, barren, stæ??ig, steady (in
gestæ??ig), D. stedig, stadig,
steeg, G. stätig, stetig. See Stead,
n.] 1. Firm in standing or
position; not tottering or shaking; fixed; firm. "The softest,
steadiest plume." Keble.
Their feet steady, their hands diligent, their
eyes watchful, and their hearts resolute.
Sir P.
Sidney.
2. Constant in feeling, purpose, or pursuit;
not fickle, changeable, or wavering; not easily moved or persuaded to
alter a purpose; resolute; as, a man steady in his principles,
in his purpose, or in the pursuit of an object.
3. Regular; constant; undeviating; uniform;
as, the steady course of the sun; a steady breeze of
wind.
Syn. -- Fixed; regular; uniform; undeviating; invariable;
unremitted; stable.
Steady rest (Mach), a rest in a
turning lathe, to keep a long piece of work from trembling.
Stead"y, v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Steadied (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Steadying.] To make steady; to hold or keep from shaking,
reeling, or falling; to make or keep firm; to support; to make
constant, regular, or resolute.
Stead"y, v. i. To become steady; to
regain a steady position or state; to move steadily.
Without a breeze, without a tide,
She steadies with upright keel.
Coleridge.