[f. prec.] The quality of being unsteadfast: a. Of persons or conduct.
a. 1300. Cursor M., 27793. O suernes cums … vnstedfastnes, o will wandring.
1384. Chaucer, L. G. W., Prol. 526. A ful gret neglygence Was it to the to write onstedefast-nesse Of women.
c. 1440. Promp. Parv., 367/2. Onstedefastnesse, instabilitas.
a. 1500. Chaucer’s Dream, 200. Wherefore I doubt … Her variance and vnsteadfastnes.
a. 1548. Hall, Chron., Hen. VIII., 144 b. Then was rehersed to the Frenchemen their doublenes [and] their vnstedfastnes.
1649. Bp. Reynolds, Hosea, ii. 9. The falsenesse and unstedfastnesse of our Hearts.
1694. Kettlewell, Comp. Persecuted, 58. Let not any other Persons unsteadfastness in thy ways … cause me to waver.
a. 1850. Rossetti, Dante & Circle, I. (1874), 99. Many times I cursed the unsteadfastness of my eyes.
1860. Pusey, Min. Proph., 90. God, in answer, promises to heal … their fickleness and unsteadfastness.
b. Of life, fortune, etc.
1508. Dunbar’s Poems (S.T.S.), 321/19. Sen in this warld thare is no sekernes,… I tak my leve at all vnstedfastnes.
1561. Becon, Sick Man’s Salve (1572), 5. O the vnstedfastnesse of mans life!
1585. T. Washington, trans. Nicholay’s Voy., IV. xxix. 150 b. By chaunge of time and vnstedfastnesse of fortune this so flourishing a citie is brought to … ruine.
