I. ˈstēlē, -li adjective
( -er/-est )
Etymology: steel + -y
1. : made of steel : consisting of steel
2. : resembling steel (as in hardness, firmness, color, keenness, or chillness)
night, with the steely stars above — Aubrey Drury
a steely wind
steely cymbals — Irving Kolodin
nerves as steely as those of a steeplejack — London Daily Telegraph
steely fortitude
3. of wool : lacking the natural crimp and elasticity
II.
variant of steelie
III. adjective
: dry with the acidity predominating over the fruit flavors — used especially of white wines made to age in the bottle