steadfast

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English

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Alternative forms

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Etymology

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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

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Adjective

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

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

Derived terms

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Translations

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References

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