Part 766

Stead"ing (?), n. The brans, stables, cattle-yards, etc., of a farm; -- called also onstead, farmstead, farm offices, or farmery. [Prov. Eng. & Scot.]

Stead"y (?), a. [Compar. Steadier (?); superl. Steadiest.] [Cf. AS. stedig sterile, barren, stæ&?;&?;ig, steady (in gestæ&?;&?;ig), D. stedig, stadig, steeg, G. stätig, stetig. See Stead, n.] 1. Firm in standing or position; not tottering or shaking; fixed; firm. "The softest, steadiest plume." Keble.

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

Sir P. Sidney.

2. Constant in feeling, purpose, or pursuit; not fickle, changeable, or wavering; not easily moved or persuaded to alter a purpose; resolute; as, a man steady in his principles, in his purpose, or in the pursuit of an object.

3. Regular; constant; undeviating; uniform; as, the steady course of the sun; a steady breeze of wind.

Syn. -- Fixed; regular; uniform; undeviating; invariable; unremitted; stable.

Steady rest (Mach), a rest in a turning lathe, to keep a long piece of work from trembling.

Stead"y, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Steadied (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Steadying.] To make steady; to hold or keep from shaking, reeling, or falling; to make or keep firm; to support; to make constant, regular, or resolute.

Stead"y, v. i. To become steady; to regain a steady position or state; to move steadily.

Without a breeze, without a tide, She steadies with upright keel.

Coleridge.

Steak (?), n. [OE. steike, Icel. steik, akin to Icel. steikja to roast, stikna to be roasted or scorched, and E. stick, the steak being broiled on a spit. See Stick, v. t.] A slice of beef, broiled, or cut for broiling; -- also extended to the meat of other large animals; as, venison steak; bear steak; pork steak; turtle steak.

Steal (?), n. [See Stale a handle.] A handle; a stale, or stele. [Archaic or Prov. Eng.]

And in his hand a huge poleax did bear. Whose steale was iron-studded but not long.

Spenser.

Steal (?), v. t. [imp. Stole (?); p. p. Stolen (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Stealing.] [OE. stelen, AS. stelan; akin to OFries. stela, D. stelen, OHG. stelan, G. stehlen, Icel. stela, SW. stjäla, Dan. stiæle, Goth. stilan.] 1. To take and carry away, feloniously; to take without right or leave, and with intent to keep wrongfully; as, to steal the personal goods of another.

Maugre thy heed, thou must for indigence Or steal, or borrow, thy dispense.

Chaucer.

The man who stole a goose and gave away the giblets in &?;lms.

G. Eliot.

2. To withdraw or convey clandestinely (reflexive); hence, to creep furtively, or to insinuate.

They could insinuate and steal themselves under the same by their humble carriage and submission.

Spenser.

He will steal himself into a man's favor.

Shak.

3. To gain by insinuating arts or covert means.

So Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel.