stedefast

Middle English

Alternative forms

• steddefast, stedefaste, stedeffast, stedfast, stedfaste, stidefast, stidfast, stodefast, studefast, studfast, studfaste, stydfast, stydfaste
• stedefasst, studefest, studevest (Early Middle English)
• stedevast, stedevest (Kent)

Etymology

Inherited from Old English stedefæst, from Proto-West Germanic *stadifast, from Proto-Germanic *stadifastaz; equivalent to stede (“place”) +‎ -fast.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈstɛːd(ə)ˌfast/, /ˈstɛd(ə)ˌfast/, /ˈstid(ə)ˌfast/

Adjective

stedefast (plural and weak singular stedefaste)

1. Constant, stable, immutable; not changeable:
   1. Steadfast, firm, convicted; lacking doubt.
   2. Fixed; unable to be relocated or moved.
   3. Steady, unmoving, still; not in motion.
2. Strong, secured; having protection or power:
   1. Trustworthy, faithful; adhering to promises.
   2. Persisting, settled; hard to uproot.
3. Emotionally or physically healthy; hale.
4. Bold, valiant; displaying bravery or courage.

Related terms

• stedefastly
• stedefastnesse
• unstedefast

Descendants

• English: steadfast
• Middle Scots: stedfast

References

• “sted-fast, adj.”, in MED Online, Ann Arbor, Mich.: University of Michigan, 2007.

Adverb

stedefast

1. Steadfastly, firmly, convincedly; without doubt.
2. Strongly, firmly; in a strong or steady way.
3. Uninterruptedly, eternally; without halt.

Descendants

• English: steadfast
• Middle Scots: stedfast

References

• “sted-fast, adv.”, in MED Online, Ann Arbor, Mich.: University of Michigan, 2007.