Stedfastnesse

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. The quality of being resolutely loyal and unwavering in one's beliefs ; the condition of remaining firmly fixed and not easily moved
2. Unshakable constancy in faith, loyalty or resolve ; the state of being solidly stable and not giving way under pressure
3. A dependable firmness of commitment to a person or cause ; the quality of standing fast and resisting any tendency to shift

Etymology: Stedfastnesse is a Middle English noun meaning firmness, constancy, or steadfast loyalty. It is built from the adjective "stedfast," which combines "stede," an older English word for a place or position, with "fast," meaning firmly fixed. The image is of something planted in one spot and not moved, and the sense of standing firm in place gradually came to mean holding firm in faith or purpose. The "-nesse" ending is the Old English suffix that turns an adjective into an abstract noun of quality, as in "goodnesse" or "rightwisnesse." Spellings like this were common in Middle English, and the form shows how the word was assembled from parts that English speakers already knew. Over time the spelling changed to "steadfastness," but the underlying structure stayed the same.

Synonyms: steadfastness, constancy, loyalty, firmness, resolve

Antonyms: fickleness, inconstancy, disloyalty, irresolution, wavering