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Dictionars o the Scots Leid

A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)

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First published 2001 (DOST Vol. IX).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Stedfastnes(e, n. Also: stedefastnes, steidfastnes(se. [ME and e.m.E. stedefastnesse (c1220), stedfastnesse (Chaucer), stedfastnes (Tindale), OE stydfæstnis; Stedfast(e adj.] a. Constancy, fixity of purpose, belief, etc., persistence, fortitude. b. Certainty of circumstance, surety, safety.a. 1456 Hay II 33/14.
Humilitee is the rute of the stedefastnes of knychthede 1456 Hay II 60/35.
Mekenes and fortitude; for mekenesse withoutyn stedefastnes may nocht gaynstand pryde a1500 Lufaris Compl. 67.
Help, Piramus, with thy cruell stedfastnese! c1500-c1512 Dunb. G. Targe 164.
Sche led wyth hir Nurture and Lawlynes, Contenence, Pacience, Gude Fame and Stedfastnes 15.. Clar. iii 259.
Never … scho … wore ane hew bot ane, And that was sabill, signe of steidfastnes a1568 Wedderburn in Bann. MS 260a/5.
Hir toung was wonder sle With … inconstance payntit with steidfastnes 1572 Buch. Detect. (1727) 146.
The ameling that is about is blak quhilk signfyis the steidfastnes of hir that sendis the same 1585 Calderwood IV 478.
My brother-in-law, how kittle is he! … There is one onlie of whose steidfastnesse … I darre assure my self … the Erle of Marr 1584-9 Maxwall Commonpl. Bk. 6b.
Steir ye with stedfastnes, Lwik yow leife wilfulnesb. c1420 Wynt. v 3103.
For the persecutyowne … There wes na place off stedfastnes Quhar-in prestys mycht syng thare mes