1. Of persons, the mind, etc.: Not steadfast in conduct or opinion; inconstant, fickle.
a. 1200. Moral Ode, 241, in O. E. Hom., I. 175. Þo boð þa þe weren her a þanke unstedefeste.
c. 1200. Trin. Coll. Hom., 61. We turnen ofte to him and fro him, for we beð unstedefaste.
a. 1300. Cursor M., 6516. Þi folk … has don a suik; Sin þat þou com fra þam last, Þou sal þam find ful vn-stedfast.
1340–70. Alex. & Dind., 944. Huo wolde wene þat a weih woxen on elde Were wist for vnstedefast of word or of dede?
c. 1450. Mankind, 207, in Macro Plays, 8. I am onstedfast in lywynge; my name ys ‘Mankynde.’
1502. Atkynson, trans. De Imitatione, III. xxii. 214. I am ryghte feble and vnstedfaste.
1568. Grafton, Chron., II. 193. This king was … vnstedfast of maners and disposed to lightnesse.
1601. Campion, Bk. Ayres, xiv. 4. My heart … is dismaid by thee, Who art so cruell and vnsteadfast growne.
1647. H. More, Song of Soul, etc. 319. When my weakened soul Unstedfast, into this Outworld doth reel.
a. 1850. Rossetti, Dante & Circle, I. (1874), 123. He answers Dante, confessing his unsteadfast heart.
1850–1. Longf., Gold. Leg., ii. Village Church. Pardon in me The oscillation of a mind Unsteadfast.
absol. 1825. Coleridge, Aids Refl., 379. In the perfect foreknowledge that they would confirm the disbelieving, alienate the unsteadfast.
2. Not remaining in the same state; liable to change or alteration: a. Of the world, life, etc.
1200. Moral Ode, 320, in O. E. Hom., II. 229. We wilnieð after wereldes wele þe longe ne mai ilaste, And legeð mast al ure swinc on þing unstedefaste.
1456. Sir G. Haye, Law Arms (S.T.S.), 33. Be caus of this divisioun, all the warld is in a wylde thocht, unstedefast.
1475. Bk. Noblesse (Roxb.), 3. Thoroughe sodein and variable chaunces of unstedfast fortune.
a. 1500. in Ratis Raving, etc., 22. Leid thi lyf with thaim that the louis for the day of the vnstedfast lyf.
1574. Hyll, Conject. Weather, i. Then shall follow an unstedfast Winter.
1591. Spenser, Daphn., 518. For all mens states alike vnstedfast be.
1600. Tourneur, Transf. Metam., iv. Subiect unto th’ unstedfast moone’s controle.
b. Of persons, qualities, etc.
1483. Caxton, Gold. Leg., 388 b/2. Whome ought I better to chese of thyse two, or the kyng puyssaunt pardurable … or one seek unstedfast.
1513. More, Rich. III. (1883), 6. With large giftes he get hym unstedfaste frendeshippe.
1535. Coverdale, Prov. v. 6. She regardeth not the path of life, so vnstedfast are hir wayes, that thou canst not knowe them.
1600. Holland, Livy, 671. The assured loialtie of the captaines … was but vaine, fickle, and unsteadfast.
3. Not firmly established or fixed; readily moving or changing place; not firm or steady.
13[?]. Propr. Sanct., 158, in Archiv Stud. neu. Spr., LXXXI. 93. He made Nettes to beo cast In to þe se vnstudefast.
1398. Trevisa, Barth. De P. R., XII. xxxii. (Bodl. MS.). Þe pecock haþ an vnstedefaste and an yuel schape heede.
1563. Mirr. Mag., Induct., xxxiii. Her iyes vnstedfast rolling here and there.
1596. Shaks., 1 Hen. IV., I. iii. 193. As full of perill … As to o’re-walke a Current, roaring loud, On the vnstedfast footing of a Speare.
1657. Austen, Fruit Trees, II. 28. The farther off the Branches are from the Roote, the more loose, and unsteadfast they are.
1793. Wordsw., Descr. Sk., 252. Bare steeps, where Desolation stalks, afraid, Unsteadfast, by a blasted yew upstay’d.
1864. Dora Greenhill, Lyra Myst., Soul Garden., xii. These Lilies … That quiver with unsteadfast light.
fig. 1817. Jas. Mill, Brit. India, II. V. vii. 621. The unsteadfast basis on which the power of the leaders at Poonah was placed.
Hence Unsteadfastly adv.
1559. Guest, Lett. to Cecil, in Strype, Ann. Ref. (1709), I. App. xiv. 38. I have neither ungodly allowed anything against the Scripture, neither unstedfastly done anything contrary to my writing.
1611. Cotgr., Inconstamment,… vnstedfastly, mutably, waueringly.
