[UN-2 6 a.] trans. To deprive of steadiness; to render unsteady.
1532. W. Walter, Guystarde & S., A ij. The wretched lyfe of osyosyte … Unstedyeth the wyt.
1646. H. Lawrence, Comm. Angels, 122. How doth hee unsteddy our steps, and intimidate us, by putting scruples in our wayes.
1748. Richardson, Clarissa, VII. xliv. 176. Unless the shock … (by unsteadying my hand) shall divert my aim from his head.
1812. Examiner, 24 Aug., 540/1. Shot, shells, grape,… could not unsteady the step … of the … infantry.
1872. H. Bushnell, Serm. Living Subj., 245. Waiting always on the unsteady, unsteadies even the sense of principle.
1883. Stevenson, Treas. Isl., ii. I was quite unsteadied by all that had fallen out.
Hence Unsteadying ppl. a.
1865. Masson, Rec. Brit. Philos., 174. A point whence the appearance of an unusual amount of unsteadying thought may be dated.
