different between steadfast vs abiding

English

Alternative forms

• stedfast (obsolete)

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

• (General American) IPA^(key): /?st?dfæst/

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

• steadfastly
• steadfastness

Translations

English

Pronunciation

• (US) IPA^(key): /??ba?.d??/
• Rhymes: -a?d??

Etymology 1

Present participle or participial adjective from abide (verb) +? -ing; or, from Middle English participle form of abiden, abyden (“to abide”).

Adjective

abiding (comparative more abiding, superlative most abiding)

1. Continuing or persisting in the same state: lasting, enduring; steadfast. [First attested around 1350 to 1470.]

Synonyms

• diuturnal, prolonged; see also Thesaurus:lasting

Translations

Verb

abiding

1. present participle of abide

Derived terms

Etymology 2

From Middle English abydynge, abidynge, -inge [verbal noun of abiden, abyden (“to abide”)], from Old English ab?dung; or, verbal noun from abide (verb) +? -ing.

Noun

abiding (plural abidings)

1. The action of one who abides; the state of an abider. [First attested from around 1150 to 1350.]
2. (obsolete) An abode. [First attested from around (1350 to 1470) until the early 17th century.]

References