steady

steady
steady 1520s, replacing earlier steadfast, from STEAD (Cf. stead) + adj. suffix -y, perhaps on model of M.Du., M.L.G. stadig. O.E. had stæððig "grave, serious," and stedig "barren," but neither seems to be the direct source of the modern word. O.N. cognate stoðugr "steady, stable" was closer in sense. Originally of things; of persons or minds from c.1600. Meaning "working at an even rate" is first recorded in 1540s. The verb also is first recorded 1520s. Noun meaning "one's boyfriend or girlfriend" is from 1897; to go steady is 1905 in teenager slang. Steady progress is etymologically a contradiction in terms. Steady state first attested 1885; as a cosmological theory (propounded by Bondi, Gold, and Hoyle), it is attested from 1948.

Etymology dictionary. 2014.

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  • steady — adj Steady, uniform, even, equable, constant are comparable when they mean neither markedly varying nor variable but much the same throughout its course or extent. Steady is the most widely applicable of these terms; in general it suggests… …   New Dictionary of Synonyms

  • steady — [sted′ē] adj. steadier, steadiest [ STEAD + Y2] 1. that does not shake, tremble, totter, etc.; firm; fixed; stable 2. constant, regular, uniform, or continuous; not changing, wavering, or faltering [a steady gaze, a steady diet, a steady rhythm]… …   English World dictionary

  • Steady — Stead y ( [y^]), a. [Compar. {Steadier} ( [i^]*[ e]r); superl. {Steadiest}.] [Cf. AS. stedig sterile, barren, st[ae][eth][eth]ig, steady (in gest[ae][eth][eth]ig), D. stedig, stadig, steeg, G. st[ a]tig, stetig. See {Stead}, n.] 1. Firm in… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Steady B — (bürgerlich Warren McGlone, * 5. Januar 1970 in Philadelphia) ist ein amerikanischer Rapper und Musikproduzent. Er gehörte zur Rap Gruppe Hilltop Hustlers aus Philadelphia. Inhaltsverzeichnis 1 Leben 2 Diskografie 3 Weblinks …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • steady on — british spoken phrase used for telling someone that you do not approve of the bad things that they are saying Steady on, Karen! You’re talking about my boyfriend. Thesaurus: ways of emphasizing when you are annoyed or angrysynonym Main entry:… …   Useful english dictionary

  • steady — [adj1] stable, fixed abiding, brick wall*, certain, changeless, constant, durable, enduring, equable, even, firm, immovable, never failing, patterned, regular, reliable, safe, set, set in stone*, solid, solid as a rock*, stabile, steadfast,… …   New thesaurus

  • steady — ► ADJECTIVE (steadier, steadiest) 1) firmly fixed, supported, or balanced. 2) not faltering or wavering; controlled. 3) sensible and reliable. 4) regular, even, and continuous in development, frequency, or intensity. ► VERB (steadies …   English terms dictionary

  • Steady — Stead y, v. i. To become steady; to regain a steady position or state; to move steadily. [1913 Webster] Without a breeze, without a tide, She steadies with upright keel. Coleridge. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Steady On — may refer to: * Steady On (Shawn Colvin album), a 1989 album by Shawn Colvin * Steady On (Point of Grace album), a 1998 album by Point of Grace …   Wikipedia

  • Steady — Stead y, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Steadied} ( [i^]d); 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. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

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