Stead"y (?), a. [Compar. Steadier (?); superl. Steadiest.] [Cf. AS. stedig sterile, barren, staeig, steady (in gestaeig), D. stedig, stadig, steeg, G. statig, 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.
© Webster 1913.
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.
© Webster 1913.
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.
© Webster 1913.