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Indifferent vs Steely - What's the difference?

indifferent | steely | Related terms |

As adjectives the difference between indifferent and steely

is that indifferent is not caring or concerned; uninterested, apathetic while steely is having qualities resembling those of steel, especially hard and resolute.

As an adverb indifferent

is to some extent, in some degree (intermediate between very and not at all); moderately, tolerably, fairly.

indifferent

English

Adjective

(en adjective)
  • Not caring or concerned; uninterested, apathetic.
    • He was indifferent to the proposal, since it didn't affect him, either way.
  • Mediocre, usually used negatively in modern usage.
    • The long distance and the indifferent roads made the journey impossible.
    The performance of Blue Jays has been '''indifferent'' this season.
  • * Sir Walter Scott
    • The staterooms are in indifferent order.
  • Having no preference or bias, being impartial.
    • ''I am indifferent between the two plans.
  • * Addison
    • indifferent in his choice to sleep or die
  • Not making a difference; without significance or importance.
    • Even if one appliance consumes an indifferent amount of energy when left on stand-by overnight, together they can represent 10% of the electricity demand of a household.
  • * Shakespeare
    • Dangers are to me indifferent .
  • * Jeremy Taylor
    • Everything in the world is indifferent but sin.
  • * Nathaniel Hawthorne
    • His slightest and most indifferent acts were odious in the clergyman's sight.
  • (mechanics) Being in the state of neutral equilibrium.

    • Quotations

    * , act 4, scene 1: *: Let their heads be sleekly combed their blue coats brushed and their garters of an indifferent knit

    Adverb

  • (obsolete) To some extent, in some degree (intermediate between very'' and ''not at all ); moderately, tolerably, fairly.
    • The face of the Moon appearing to me to be full of indifferent high mountains...

    Usage notes

    * Now obsolete, but very common c. 1600-1730.

    References

    * ----

    steely

    English

    Adjective

    (er)
  • Having qualities resembling those of steel, especially hard and resolute.
    • The bully backed down before his steely gaze.
    Steely grey hair.
  • * Sir Philip Sidney
    • She would unarm her noble heart of that steely resistance against the sweet blows of love.
  • Made of steel.
  • * Shakespeare
    • Broach'd with the steely point of Clifford's lance.
  • * Gay
    • Around his shop the steely sparkles flew.

    Anagrams

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