steely

steely
steely 1580s, from STEEL (Cf. steel) + -Y (Cf. -y) (2). Figurative meaning “hard and cold as steel” is from c.1500.

Etymology dictionary. 2014.

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  • Steely — Steel y ( [y^]), a. 1. Made of steel; consisting of steel. The steely point of Clifford s lance. Shak. [1913 Webster] Around his shop the steely sparkles flew. Gay. [1913 Webster] 2. Resembling steel; hard; firm; having the color of steel. His… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • steely — [stēl′ē] adj. steelier, steeliest 1. of or like steel, as in hardness 2. severe; stern [a steely glare] steeliness n …   English World dictionary

  • steely — index rigid, unaffected (uninfluenced) Burton s Legal Thesaurus. William C. Burton. 2006 …   Law dictionary

  • steely — ► ADJECTIVE (steelier, steeliest) 1) resembling steel in colour, brightness, or strength. 2) coldly determined; severe. DERIVATIVES steeliness noun …   English terms dictionary

  • steely — [[t]sti͟ːli[/t]] 1) ADJ GRADED: usu ADJ n (emphasis) Steely is used to emphasize that a person is hard, strong, and determined. Their indecision has been replaced by confidence and steely determination... Captain Grenville stared at him steely… …   English dictionary

  • steely — steel|y [ˈsti:li] adj 1.) extremely determined and very strong ▪ a look of steely determination 2.) if someone has steely eyes or is steely eyed, they look very determined 3.) having a grey colour like steel ▪ a steely sky …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • steely — adjective 1) steely light Syn: blue gray, gray, steel colored, steel gray, iron gray 2) steely muscles Syn: hard, firm, toned, rigid, stiff, tense, tensed …   Thesaurus of popular words

  • steely — steel|y [ stili ] adjective 1. ) showing a calm and firm attitude: He had a look of steely determination in his eyes. The steely tone in his voice told her that he was furious. 2. ) steely blue is gray blue in color …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

  • steely — UK [ˈstiːlɪ] / US [ˈstɪlɪ] adjective 1) showing a calm and firm attitude He had a look of steely determination in his eyes. The steely tone in his voice told her that he was furious. 2) steely blue is grey blue in colour …   English dictionary

  • steely — adjective (steelier; est) Date: 1509 1. resembling or suggesting steel (as in hardness, color, strength, or coldness) < steely determination > < steely blue > 2. made of steel • steeliness noun …   New Collegiate Dictionary

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