Dictionary

steelily en · ADV

Etymology

From steely + -ly.

Meanings

1. In a steely way.
   • 2016, Anne Fogarty, Chapter 1: ‘A World of Hotels and Gaols’, Paige Reynolds (editor), Modernist Afterlives in Irish Literature and Culture, Wimbledon Publishing Company (Anthem Press), page 19, As she steelily lives through the death of Christy, she recognizes that she herself now moves irretrievably 'in a world of hotels and gaols' (145).
   • My aunt looked at her daughter; brilliant of complexion, coldly and steelily handsome at eighteen—why should she not have admirers? 1867, Gabrielle Lee, “Cash or Barter”, in Peterson's Magazine, volume 51, page 201:
   • 'Meat,' he said steelily. 'I was right. It was a bloody butcher's knife that bastard tried to rearrange me with.' 1998, Charles Nicholl, The Fruit Palace, page 134:

Forms