Steadfast

 WORD OF THE DAY

stead·​fast | / adjective / ˈsted-ˌfast

Definition 

1a: firmly fixed in place 

1b: immovable 

1c: not subject to change

2a: firm in belief, determination, or adherence 

2b: loyal 

Examples

By following these three steadfast rules, certainty can find its way back into the holiday season.

— Jason Miner, Forbes, 29 Oct. 2021

Republican candidates there have remained steadfast supporters of Trump, who remains the party's most popular leader.

— Alex Rogers, Melanie Zanona And Manu Raju, CNN, 28 Oct. 2021

Did you know?

Steadfast has held its ground in English for many centuries. Its Old English predecessor, stedefæst, combined stede (meaning "place" or "stead") and fæst (meaning "firmly fixed"). 

An Old English text of the late 10th century, called The Battle of Maldon, contains our earliest record of the word, which was first used in battle contexts to describe warriors who stood their ground. 

Soon, it was also being used with the broad meaning "immovable," and as early as the 13th century it was applied to those unswerving in loyalty, faith, or friendship. Centuries later, all of these meanings endure.