steady

comparative steadier · superlative steadiest · alternative steddy · alternative stedy

1. Firm in standing or position; not tottering or shaking; fixed; firm.

   Hold the ladder steady while I go up.

   5 more examples

   Their feet steady, their hands diligent, their eyes watchful, and their hearts resolute.

   The New Arcadia

   a. 1587, Philippe Sidnei [i.e., Philip Sidney], “(please specify the folio)”, in [Fulke Greville; Matthew Gwinne; John Florio], editors, The Countesse of Pembrokes Arcadia [The New Arcadia], London: […] [John Windet] for William Ponsonbie, published 1590, →OCLC

   But then I had the flintlock by me for protection. ¶ There were giants in the days when that gun was made; for surely no modern mortal could have held that mass of metal steady to his shoulder. The linen-press and a chest on the top of it formed, however, a very good gun-carriage; and, thus mounted, aim could be taken out of the window,[…].

   1879, R[ichard] J[efferies], chapter 1, in The Amateur Poacher, London: Smith, Elder, & Co., […], →OCLC

   When I went to Harrow, thirty years ago, I found a winter evening game in force there, called 'high cockalorum,' […] The players used to divide into two opposing bands of from twelve to fourteen each – in fact, the more the merrier. One side 'went down,' so as to constitute a long 'hogsback' – the last boy having a couple of pillows between himself and the wall, and each boy clasping his front rank man, and carefully tucking his own 'cocoa-nut' [i.e., head] under his right arm, so as to prevent fracture of the vertebrae. When the hogsback was thus formed, the other side came on, leapfrogging on to the backs of those who were down, the best and the steadiest jumpers being sent first. […]

   1890 January 4, Pall Mall Gazette, London: J. K. Sharpe, →OCLC, page 2, column 1

   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.

   1910, Emerson Hough, chapter I, in The Purchase Price: Or The Cause of Compromise, Indianapolis, Ind.: The Bobbs-Merrill Company, →OCLC

   Jenny also used a much more advanced form of wave generation: instead of using a bow string, he was able to create cymatoscopes using piezoelectric generators that could be regulated electronically and could produce steadier wave displacements than any of Jenny’s predecessors.

   2010, Stephen D. Lewis, Seeing Sound: Hans Jenny and the Cymatic Atlas, page 17

   Synonyms: robust, solid, untottering, level, sure

2. Constant in feeling, purpose, or pursuit; not fickle, changeable, or wavering; not easily moved or persuaded to alter a purpose; resolute.

   a man steady in his principles, in his purpose, or in the pursuit of an object

   Synonyms: dogged

3. Smooth and not bumpy or with obstructions.

   a steady ride

   Synonyms: fluid

4. Phlegmatic, calm; not easily upset, excited, or disturbed.

   a steady tone of voice

   1 more example

   Thy ſteddy Temper, Portius, Can look on Guilt, Rebellion, Fraud, and Cæſar, In the calm Lights of mild Philoſophy; I’m tortured, ev’n to Madneſs, when I think On the proud Victor: […]

   1712 (date written), [Joseph] Addison, Cato, a Tragedy. […], London: […] J[acob] Tonson, […], published 1713, →OCLC, Act I, scene i, page 1

   Synonyms: even-tempered

5. Regular and even.

   the steady course of the Sun;  a steady breeze of wind

   2 more examples

   The rebuilding of damaged stations is proceeding slowly, on account of the shortage of building materials and the pressing needs of housing, but steady progress is being made.

   1951 March, E. J. Tyler, “Post-War Recovery on the Netherlands Railways”, in Railway Magazine, page 157

   During programmed changes, no steady green signal indication or flashing yellow signal indication shall be terminated and immediately followed by a steady red or flashing red signal indication without first displaying the steady yellow signal […]

   2003, Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration, Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices: Inserts Only, page 10

   Synonyms: constant

6. Slow.

   Synonyms: glacial

7. datedinformalWith whom one is going steady.

   I have been trying to remember what other porn movies I've seen. I know that I should be able to recall many a title as, When I was eighteen, my steady girlfriend and I would go to drive-in theatres and half-watch them all the time.

   1979 August 25, Pat M. Kuras, “Post Card Sex”, in Gay Community News, volume 7, number 6, page 12

8. SingaporeSinglishpredicativeConfident and cool-headed under pressure; competent; reliable, adept.

   You get it right too many times. Your viewers must think you're damn solid, right? Get so many right on TV, steady lah, ang moh, they say, right? Fame gone to your head, is it?

   2010, Neil Humphreys, chapter 10, in Match Fixer, Marshall Cavendish International, →ISBN, page 112

   Synonyms: steady pom pi pi, solid

present singular third person steadies · participle present steadying · participle past steadied · past steadied · alternative steddy · alternative stedy

1. figurativelysometimestransitiveTo stabilize; to prevent from shaking.

   I took a drink to steady my nerves.

2. intransitiveTo become stable.

   The ship steadied in the air. Another spray of ballast came, heavier than the last.

   2010, Scott Westerfeld, Leviathan

alternative steddy · alternative stedy

1. African-American VernacularAspect marker indicating consistency or intensity.

   Why you steady cappin'?

   Why are you continuously lying?

plural steadies · alternative steddy · alternative stedy

1. A rest or support, as for the hand, a tool, or a piece of work.
2. informalA regular boyfriend or girlfriend; somebody to go steady with.

   “Dalton is my steady, now. If I break up with him, you're the first on the list.” “Thanks,” said Ted. “What a privilege to be second choice.”

   2002, Frederick E. Von Burg, Keep My White Sneakers, Kit Carson, iUniverse, →ISBN, page 13

3. informalA prostitute's regular customer.

   Some of my steadies wanted me to go out with them on a date. Occasionally I let one of them take me to a film or out for a meal.

   2013, Sheila Foster, Soho Whore

alternative steddy · alternative stedy

1. informalnot comparablehobbiesTo row with pressure at a low stroke-rating, often 18 strokes per minute.

   After the sprint pieces, we rowed steady for the rest of practice.

alternative steddy · alternative stedy

1. SinglishAlright!, way to go!, nice!