a. Sc. Obs. Also 5–7 stedable, 6 stedabyl, steddabill, 7 stedibill, steedable, steidable, stedible. [f. STEAD v. + -ABLE.] Serviceable, helpful.
1467. Aberdeen Reg. (1841), I. 27. The saide Thomas sall be stedable to the saide Willam in all thingis that he has ado.
1524. Q. Marg., in St. Papers Hen. VIII., IV. 116. This wilbe … steddabill to His Grace.
1624. Aberdeen Reg. (1848), II. 394. The bigging of ane brig ower the water of Bogye … wilbe most stedibill to the haill cuntrie.
1635. J. Hayward, trans. Biondi’s Banish’d Virg., 113. The taking it away would prove a service very steedable to Bramac.
1637. Wariston, Diary (S.H.S.), 287. On that feareth the Lord and may be steidable to me.
1648. Charles I., Lett., 23 Oct., in Carte, Collect. Lett. (1735), III. 589. I am sure, all things considered, it is fittest for my service, and I am confident will prove as steadible to him.
1653. Urquhart, Rabelais, I. xi. He shoo’d the Geese, kept a self-tickling to make himself laugh, and was very stedable in the Kitchen.
1656. J. Fergusson, On Coloss., 130. The meanest haue somewhat whereby they may prove steadable to the best.
