steady

adj

1. Firm in standing or position; not tottering or shaking; fixed; firm.

   “Hold the ladder steady while I go up.”

   “Their feet steady, their hands diligent, their eyes watchful, and their hearts resolute.”

   “But then I had the flintlock by me for protection. ¶ There were giants in the days when that gun was made; for surely no modern mortal could have held that mass of metal steady to his shoulder. The linen-press and a chest on the top of it formed, however, a very good gun-carriage; and, thus mounted, aim could be taken out of the window,[…].”

   “Captain Edward Carlisle, soldier as he was, martinet as he was, felt a curious sensation of helplessness seize upon him as he met her steady gaze, her alluring smile ; he could not tell what this prisoner might do.”

2. Constant in feeling, purpose, or pursuit; not fickle, changeable, or wavering; not easily moved or persuaded to alter a purpose; resolute.

   “a man steady in his principles, in his purpose, or in the pursuit of an object”

3. Smooth and not bumpy or with obstructions.

   “a steady ride”

4. Phlegmatic, calm; not easily upset, excited, or disturbed.

   “a steady tone of voice”

   “Thy ſteddy Temper, Portius, Can look on Guilt, Rebellion, Fraud, and Cæſar, In the calm Lights of mild Philoſophy; I’m tortured, ev’n to Madneſs, when I think On the proud Victor: […]”

5. Regular and even.

   “the steady course of the Sun;  a steady breeze of wind”

   “The rebuilding of damaged stations is proceeding slowly, on account of the shortage of building materials and the pressing needs of housing, but steady progress is being made.”

   “During programmed changes, no steady green signal indication or flashing yellow signal indication shall be terminated and immediately followed by a steady red or flashing red signal indication without first displaying the steady yellow signal […]”

6. Slow.
7. (dated, informal)With whom one is going steady.

   “I have been trying to remember what other porn movies I've seen. I know that I should be able to recall many a title as, When I was eighteen, my steady girlfriend and I would go to drive-in theatres and half-watch them all the time.”

8. (Singapore, Singlish, predicative)Confident and cool-headed under pressure; competent; reliable, adept.

   “You get it right too many times. Your viewers must think you're damn solid, right? Get so many right on TV, steady lah, ang moh, they say, right? Fame gone to your head, is it?”

verb

1. (figuratively, sometimes, transitive)To stabilize; to prevent from shaking.

   “I took a drink to steady my nerves.”

2. (intransitive)To become stable.

   “The ship steadied in the air. Another spray of ballast came, heavier than the last.”

particle

1. Aspect marker indicating consistency or intensity.

   “Why you steady cappin'?”

noun

1. A rest or support, as for the hand, a tool, or a piece of work.
2. (informal)A regular boyfriend or girlfriend.

   ““Dalton is my steady, now. If I break up with him, you're the first on the list.” “Thanks,” said Ted. “What a privilege to be second choice.””

3. (informal)A prostitute's regular customer.

   “Some of my steadies wanted me to go out with them on a date. Occasionally I let one of them take me to a film or out for a meal.”

adv

1. (informal, not-comparable)To row with pressure at a low stroke-rating, often 18 strokes per minute.

   “After the sprint pieces, we rowed steady for the rest of practice.”

intj

1. (Singlish)Alright!, way to go!, nice!