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steadfast

 - 2 dictionary results

stead⋅fast

[sted-fast, -fahst, -fuhst]
–adjective
1. fixed in direction; steadily directed: a steadfast gaze.
2. firm in purpose, resolution, faith, attachment, etc., as a person: a steadfast friend.
3. unwavering, as resolution, faith, adherence, etc.
4. firmly established, as an institution or a state of affairs.
5. firmly fixed in place or position.
Also, stedfast.


Origin:
bef. 1000; ME stedefast, OE stedefæst. See stead, fast 1


steadfastly, adverb
steadfastness, noun


2. sure, dependable, reliable, constant, unwavering. Steadfast, staunch, steady imply a sureness and continuousness that may be depended upon. Steadfast literally means fixed in place, but is chiefly used figuratively to indicate undeviating constancy or resolution: steadfast in one's faith. Staunch literally means watertight, as of a vessel, and therefore strong and firm; figuratively, it is used of loyal support that will endure strain: a staunch advocate of free trade. Literally, steady is applied to that which is relatively firm in position or continuous in movement or duration: a steady flow; figuratively, it implies sober regularity or persistence: a steady worker. 4, 5. stable.


2. capricious, variable.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To steadfast
stead·fast also sted·fast   (stěd'fāst', -fəst)   
adj.  
  1. Fixed or unchanging; steady.

  2. Firmly loyal or constant; unswerving. See Synonyms at faithful.


[Middle English stedefast, from Old English stedefæst : stede, place; see stead + fæst, fixed, fast; see past- in Indo-European roots.]
stead'fast'ly adv., stead'fast'ness n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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