steadfast

English

Alternative forms

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 staðfastur (steadfast), Danish stedfast (firmly attached, secured), Danish stadfæste (to confirm; ratify), Norwegian Bokmål stadfeste (confirm, ratify; establish), Swedish stadfästa (to confirm; establish).

Pronunciation

  • (Received Pronunciation) IPA(key): /ˈstɛdfɑːst/
  • (General American) IPA(key): /ˈstɛdfæst/
  • (obsolete) IPA(key): /ˈstɛdfəst/[1]
  • (file)

Adjective

steadfast (comparative steadfaster or more steadfast, superlative steadfastest or most steadfast)

  1. Fixed or unchanging; steady.
  2. Firmly loyal or constant; unswerving.

Derived terms

Translations

References

  1. Jespersen, Otto (1909) A Modern English Grammar on Historical Principles (Sammlung germanischer Elementar- und Handbücher; 9), volumes I: Sounds and Spellings, London: George Allen & Unwin, published 1961, § 9.212, page 256.
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