steady

steady [sted′ē]

adj.

steadier, steadiest [ STEAD + -Y²]

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

interj.

1. stay calm; control yourself

2. keep the ship headed in the same direction

vt., vi.

steadied, steadying

to make or become steady

n.

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

adv.

steadier, steadiest

in a steady manner

——————

☆ go steady Informal

1. to date someone of the opposite sex regularly and exclusively

2. to date each other regularly and exclusively

steadily

adv.

steadiness

n.

SYN.- STEADY implies a fixed regularity or constancy, esp. of movement, and an absence of deviation, fluctuation, faltering, etc. [a steady breeze ]; EVEN¹, often interchangeable with STEADY, emphasizes the absence of irregularity or inequality [an even heartbeat ]; UNIFORM implies a sameness or likeness of things, parts, events, etc., usually as the result of conformity with a fixed standard [a uniform wage rate ]; REGULAR emphasizes the orderliness or symmetry resulting from evenness or uniformity [regular features, attendance, etc. ]; EQUABLE implies that the quality of evenness or regularity is inherent [an equable temper ] -ANT. CHANGEABLE, JERKY¹