unsteady — [unsted′ē] adj. not steady; specif., a) not firm or stable; shaky b) changeable; inconstant; wavering c) erratic in habits, purpose, or behavior vt. unsteadied, unsteadying to make unsteady unsteadily adv. unsteadiness n … English World dictionary
unsteady — index broken (interrupted), dangerous, disorderly, inconsistent, infrequent, insecure, irresolute … Law dictionary
unsteady — 1590s, from UN (Cf. un ) (1) not + STEADY (Cf. steady) (adj.). Cf. O.Fris. unstadich, Ger. unstätig, M.Du. onstadich … Etymology dictionary
unsteady — ► ADJECTIVE (unsteadier, unsteadiest) 1) liable to fall or shake; not firm. 2) not uniform or regular. DERIVATIVES unsteadily adverb unsteadiness noun … English terms dictionary
unsteady — un|stead|y [ʌnˈstedi] adj 1.) shaking or moving in a way you cannot control ▪ He poured the coffee with a very unsteady hand. ▪ a baby s first unsteady steps ▪ She was quite unsteady on her feet (=she might fall over) . 2.) showing that you are… … Dictionary of contemporary English
unsteady — unsteadily, adv. unsteadiness, n. /un sted ee/, adj., v., unsteadied, unsteadying. adj. 1. not steady or firm; unstable; shaky: an unsteady hand. 2. fluctuating or wavering: an unsteady flame; unsteady prices. 3. irregular or uneven: an unsteady… … Universalium
unsteady — un|stead|y [ ʌn stedi ] adjective 1. ) not regular, calm, or normal: an unsteady voice unsteady breathing 2. ) too weak or sick to walk well: She s still unsteady on her feet. 3. ) not reliable … Usage of the words and phrases in modern English
unsteady — UK [ʌnˈstedɪ] / US adjective 1) not regular, calm, or normal an unsteady voice unsteady breathing 2) too weak or ill to walk well She s still a bit unsteady on her feet. 3) not reliable … English dictionary
unsteady — I. transitive verb Date: 1532 to make unsteady II. adjective Date: 1551 not steady: as a. not firm or solid ; not fixed in position ; unstable b. marked by change or fluctuation ; changeable … New Collegiate Dictionary
unsteady — un•stead•y [[t]ʌnˈstɛd i[/t]] adj. v. stead•ied, stead•y•ing 1) not steady or firm; unstable; shaky 2) fluctuating or wavering: an unsteady flame[/ex] 3) irregular or uneven 4) to make unsteady • Etymology: 1525–35 un•stead′i•ly, adv.… … From formal English to slang
