different between adamantine vs steely

English

Etymology

From Middle English adamantine, from Latin adamantinus.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /?æd??mænta?n/

Adjective

adamantine (comparative more adamantine, superlative most adamantine)

1. Made of adamant, or having the qualities of adamant; incapable of being broken, dissolved, or penetrated.
   • 1674, John Milton, Paradise Lost, Book I, lines 44–49:

     Him the Almighty Power

     Hurld headlong flaming from th' Ethereal Skie

     With hideous ruine and combustion down

     To bottomless perdition, there to dwell

     In Adamantine Chains and penal Fire,

     Who durst defie th' Omnipotent to Arms.

   • 1837 Thomas Carlyle, The French Revolution: A History

     For two hours they stand; Bouillé's sword glittering in his hand, adamantine resolution clouding his brows[.]

   • 1984, Gayle Rubin, "Thinking Sex" in Carole S. Vance, Pleasure and Danger: Exploring Female Sexuality (Boston: Routledge and Kegan Paul), 267-319.

     Sex law is the most adamantine instrument of sexual stratification and erotic persecution.

2. Like the diamond in hardness or luster.

Translations

Anagrams

• amantadine, antamanide, diamantane

French

Adjective

adamantine

1. feminine singular of adamantin

Italian

Adjective

adamantine f pl

1. feminine plural of adamantino

Latin

Adjective

adamantine

1. vocative masculine singular of adamantinus

Middle English

Alternative forms

• adamantyne, adamauntyn

Etymology

From Latin adamantinus; equivalent to adamant +? -ine.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ad??manti?n(?)/, /ad??mau?nti?n(?)/

Adjective

adamantine

1. (rare) Relating to adamant; adamantine.

Descendants

• English: adamantine

References

• “adama(u)nt?n, adj.”, in MED Online, Ann Arbor, Mich.: University of Michigan, 2007, retrieved 2018-05-11.

English

Etymology

From steel +? -y.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /?sti?li/
• Homophone: stele
• Rhymes: -i?li

Adjective

steely (comparative steelier, superlative steeliest)

1. Having qualities resembling those of steel, especially hard and resolute.

   The bully backed down before his steely gaze.

   steely grey hair

   • She would unarm her noble heart of that steely resistance against the sweet blows of love.
2. Made of steel.
   • Around his shop the steely sparkles flew.

Derived terms

• steelily
• steeliness

Translations

Anagrams

• sleety, stylee