Dictionary

steely en · ADJ

Pronunciation

• /ˈstiːli/
• (US) audio

Etymology

Etymology tree English steel Proto-Indo-European *-kos Proto-Germanic *-gaz Proto-West Germanic *-g Old English -iġ Middle English -y English -y English steely From steel + -y.

Meanings

1. Having qualities resembling those of steel, especially hardness and resoluteness.
   • The bully backed down before his steely gaze.
   • She would unarm her noble heart of that steely resistance against the sweet blows of love. a. 1587, Philippe Sidnei [i.e., Philip Sidney], “(please specify the folio)”, in [Fulke Greville; Matthew Gwinne; John Florio], editors, The Countesse of Pembrokes Arcadia [The New Arcadia], London: […] [John Windet] for William Ponsonbie, published 1590, →OCLC:
   • Freddie Woodman was ultimately the hero after making a superb 74th-minute penalty save to deny Adalberto Peñaranda. Woodman, the son of former Northampton Town goalkeeper Andy and godson of Southgate, made a steely left-handed save from the spot-kick after Dominic Calvert-Lewin had given England a first-half lead. 2017 June 11, Ben Fisher, “England seal Under-20 World Cup glory as Dominic Calvert-Lewin strikes”, in The Guardian:
   • steely grey hair
2. Made of steel.
   • Broach'd with the steely point of Clifford's lance. c. 1591–1592 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Third Part of Henry the Sixt, […]”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act II, scene iii]:
   • And in the master's chambers / They gathered for the feast / They stab it with their steely knives / But they just can't kill the beast 1977, “Hotel California”, in Don Henley, Glenn Frey (lyrics), Don Felder and Joe Walsh (music), Hotel California:
   • Around his shop the steely sparkles flew. [1716], [John] Gay, “(please specify the page)”, in Trivia: Or, The Art of Walking the Streets of London, London: […] Bernard Lintott, […], →OCLC:

Forms

Deriveds

unsteely · steely hair disease · steelily · steely-eyed · steely-nerved · steely iron · steely-spined · steeliness

Relateds

steelie

Synonyms

steelen

Translations (12)

es acerado (Translations) · pl stalowy (Translations) · bg приличащ на стомана (Translations) · fr acéré (Translations) · ia acerate (Translations) · hu acélos (Translations) · it acciaiato (Translations) · nl staalachtig (Translations) · uk стале́вий (Translations) · nl stalen (Translations) · bg стоманен (Translations) · ru стально́й (Translations)