steadying

Variant of steady

steady definition

steady (sted′ē)

adjective steadier stead′i·er, steadiest stead′i·est

  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
  3. not given to sudden changes in behavior, loyalty, disposition, etc.
  4. habitual or regular; by habit a steady customer
  5. not easily agitated, excited, or upset; calm and controlled steady nerves
  6. grave; sober; staid; reliable; not frivolous or dissipated
  7. keeping almost upright, as in a rough sea, or staying headed in the same direction: said of a ship

Etymology: stead + -y

interjection

  1. stay calm; control yourself
  2. keep the ship headed in the same direction

transitive verb, intransitive verb steadied stead′·ied, steadying stead′y·ing

to make or become steady

noun

☆ Informal a person whom one dates regularly and exclusively; sweetheart

adverb steadier stead′i·er, steadiest stead′i·est

in a steady manner

Related Forms:

steady Idioms

go steady

☆ Informal
  1. to date someone of the opposite sex regularly and exclusively
  2. to date each other regularly and exclusively

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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