steady English · revision 6054

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=derivation|attested=1530}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /ˈsted.i/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is formed from [[stead]] and the suffix [[-y]],^(Barnhart 1988)^(MWU 2024)^(Etymonline) perhaps after Middle Low German or [[dum|stēdig|t=stable, constant]].^(Etymonline)^(SOED 2002) Old English had [[m|ang|stæþþig|t=grave, serious]] and stedig “barren”, but neither seems to be the direct source;^(Etymonline) [[non|stǫðugr|t=steady, stable]] was closer in sense.^(Etymonline) Barnhart traces it to Middle English stidiz, stubborn, in the Ormulum (probably about 1200).^(Barnhart 1988)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Fixed or immovable in position, not liable to give way: 1530 in the OED,^(OED 1989)^(Barnhart 1988) the 1520s in Etymonline.^(Etymonline) Barnhart also has studi, not deviating from course, in nautical use about 1300.^(Barnhart 1988)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ Steady displaced the earlier [[steadfast]] in the physical sense, and steadfast came to be used of persons and character.^(Etymonline) Regular and uniform is recorded in Elyot's dictionary (1548), the 1540s in Etymonline,^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline) and firm in standing or movement, not shaking, from 1574.^(Barnhart 1988) Of persons or minds, resolute and unwavering, is from about 1600,^(Etymonline) as is the adverb.^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024) The verb, to keep from rocking or shaking, is from the 1520s.^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024) ''Steady!'' was a direction to a helmsman to keep the ship's head on course.^(AHD)^(SOED 2002) The noun meant a steady thing or place in 1792,^(Etymonline) a device for holding something steady from 1885,^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline) and a regular boyfriend or girlfriend from 1892 in Etymonline,^(Etymonline) 1897 in the OED, originally American.^(OED 1989) ''To go steady'' is by 1905.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1530 – fixed, immovable.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1548 – regular, uniform, in Elyot.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1574 – not shaking.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * c. 1600 – resolute, of persons.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1885 – a device for holding steady.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1892 – a regular sweetheart.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1905 – to go steady.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Adjective===

+ # Firm in position; not shaking or likely to fall.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # Free from sudden change; regular or continuous: ''a steady rise''.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # Not easily excited or upset; [[calm]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # Reliable, sober and regular in habits.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ===Verb===

+ # To make or become steady.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ===Noun===

+ # ''(informal)'' A regular boyfriend or girlfriend.^(AHD)^(OED 1989)

+

+ ===Interjection===

+ # A direction to a [[helmsman]] to keep the ship on course; also a call to be careful.^(AHD)^(SOED 2002)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[steadier]]

+ * [[steadily]]

+ * [[steadiness]]

+ * [[oversteady]]

+ * [[steady-going]]

+ * [[steady-handed]]

+ * [[steady state]]

+ * [[rock steady]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[stead]]

+ * [[steadfast]]

+ * [[instead]]

+ * [[bedstead]]

+ * [[homestead]]

+

+ ==Usage notes==

+ In Cumberland and Yorkshire dialect the word is often stiddy.^(Wright 1898)

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}