steely

From steel +‎ -y.

• IPA^(key): /ˈstiːli/
• Homophones: steelie, stele
• Rhymes: -iːli

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steely (comparative steelier, superlative steeliest)

1. Having qualities resembling those of steel, especially hard and resolute.

   The bully backed down before his steely gaze.

   steely grey hair

   • a. 1587, Philippe Sidnei [i.e., Philip Sidney], “(please specify the page number)”, in Fulke Greville, Matthew Gwinne, and John Florio, editors, The Countesse of Pembrokes Arcadia [The New Arcadia], London: […] [John Windet] for William Ponsonbie, published 1590, →OCLC; republished in Albert Feuillerat, editor, The Countesse of Pembrokes Arcadia (Cambridge English Classics: The Complete Works of Sir Philip Sidney; I), Cambridge, Cambridgeshire: University Press, 1912, →OCLC:

     She would unarm her noble heart of that steely resistance against the sweet blows of love.

   • 2017 June 11, Ben Fisher, “England seal Under-20 World Cup glory as Dominic Calvert-Lewin strikes”, in the Guardian‎:

     Freddie Woodman was ultimately the hero after making a superb 74th-minute penalty save to deny Adalberto Peñaranda. Woodman, the son of former Northampton Town goalkeeper Andy and godson of Southgate, made a steely left-handed save from the spot-kick after Dominic Calvert-Lewin had given England a first-half lead.

2. Made of steel.

   Synonym: steelen

   • c. 1591–1592 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Third Part of Henry the Sixt, […]”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act II, scene iii]:

     Broach'd with the steely point of Clifford's lance.

   • [1716], [John] Gay, “(please specify the page number(s))”, in Trivia: Or, The Art of Walking the Streets of London, London: […] Bernard Lintott, […], →OCLC:

     Around his shop the steely sparkles flew.

   • 1977, “Hotel California”, in Don Henley, Glenn Frey (lyrics), Don Felder and Joe Walsh (music), Hotel California:

     And in the master's chambers / They gathered for the feast / They stab it with their steely knives / But they just can't kill the beast

• sleety, stylee