Search the Dictionary

Serious; grave; sober; steadfast; not light or frivolous. [Obs.] "Ripe and sad courage." Bacon. Which treaty was wisely handled by sad and discrete counsel of both parties. Ld. Berners.

blish in life; to fix in business, in a home, or the like. And he settled his countenance steadfastly upon him, until he was ashamed. 2 Kings viii. 11. (Rev. Ver.) The father thought the time drew on Of setting in the world his only son. Dryden.

ibratory motion; to tremble; to shiver; to quake; to totter. Under his burning wheels The steadfast empyrean shook throughout, All but the throne itself of God. Milton. What danger Who 's that that shakes behind there Beau & FL. Shaking piece, a name given by butchers to the piece of beef cut from the under side of the…

e quality opposite to Ant: fickleness, Ant: irresolution, or Ant: inconstancy; constancy; steadfastness; as, a man of little stability, or of unusual stability.

Firm in principle; constant and zealous; loyal; hearty; steady; steadfast; as, a stanch churchman; a stanch friend or adherent. V. Knox. In politics I hear you 're stanch. Prior.

See Stead, Steadfast, etc.

enting; unfeeling; stern. This sturdy marquis gan his hearte dress To rue upon her wifely steadfastness. Chaucer. This must be done, and I would fain see Mortal so sturdy as to gainsay. Hudibras. A sturdy, hardened sinner shall advance to the utmost pitch of impiety with less reluctance than he took the first steps. At…

Fidelity; constancy; steadfastness; faithfulness. Alas! they had been friends in youth, But whispering tongues can poison truth. Coleridge.

Immovable. "Steadfast, unmovable." 1 Cor. xv. 58. Locke.

ense; protection. For the best ward of mine honor. Shak. The assieged castle's ward Their steadfast stands did mightily maintain. Spenser. For want of other ward, He lifted up his hand, his front to guard. Dryden.