steadfast
UK /ˈstɛdfɑːst/ · US /ˈstɛdfæst/ adjective
Forms steadfaster steadfastest stedfast
- adjective Fixed or unchanging; steady.
- adjective Firmly loyal or constant; unswerving. “steadfast support”
Synonyms
firm steady stiff unbendable unfaltering unshakable unwavering staunch unswerving
Antonyms
Etymology
From Middle English stedefast, from Old English stedefæst, from Proto-Germanic *stadifastuz, equivalent to stead (“place; spot; position”) + fast (“firm; fixed”). Cognate with Middle Dutch stedevast (“steadfast”), Icelandic staðfestur (“steadfast”), Danish stedfast (“firmly attached, secured”), Danish stadfæste (“to confirm; ratify”), Norwegian Nynorsk stadfesta (“confirm, ratify; establish”), Swedish stadfästa (“to confirm; establish”).
Webster’s 1913
- adjective Firmly fixed or established; fast fixed; firm. "This steadfast globe of earth." Spenser.
- adjective Not fickle or wavering; constant; firm; resolute; unswerving; steady. "Steadfast eye." Shak.
Etymology [Stead + fast, that is, fast in place.]
Sources: Wiktionary · WordNet 3.0 · Webster’s 1913 — from the Wiktionary entry “steadfast”, CC BY-SA 4.0. Details