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steady

1. Firm in standing or position; not tottering or shaking; fixed; firm. The softest, steadiest plume. 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.

Synonym: fixed, regular, uniform, undeviating, invariable, unremitted, stable.

(Science: machinery) Steady rest, a rest in a turning lathe, to keep a long piece of work from trembling.

Origin: Cf. AS. Stedig sterile, barren, staeig, steady (in gestaeig), D. Stedig, stadig, steeg, G. Statig, stetig. See Stead.