sure-footedadj.

1594 L. Lewkenor tr. O. de la Marche Resolued Gentleman f. 41 His Courser shalbe inuincible Courage, sure footed, and neuer once stumbling in this dangerous carreere.

1609 N. Morgan Perfection of Horse-manship xxv. 75 He [sc. the perfect horse] wilbe found in all his actions naturally bolde, louing, easie, sure footed, durable, and free going.

1622 J. Mabbe tr. M. Alemán Rogue i. 17 A pretty little, but sure-footed Sardinian Asse.

1735 J. Cockburn Journey over Land 149 Mules..are the most sure-footed Creatures in the World.

1766 T. Smollett Trav. France & Italy I. xx. 313 The mules of Piedmont..are the only carriage that can be used in crossing the mountains, being very sure-footed.

1845 S. Austin tr. L. von Ranke Hist. Reformation in Germany (ed. 2) II. 425 A few sure-footed landsknechts..guarded the steps of their veteran leader; and thus..he traversed the terrific pass.

1884 Times (Weekly ed.) 12 Sept. 7/2 Hills..so steep that even the sure-footed hill cattle could not tread them.

1966 Boys' Life Mar. 45/3 A cat, sure-footed, quick of movement, with an awesome set of claws.

2010 Grimsby Tel. (Nexis) 18 Dec. 14 Thousands of people have been slipping and sliding on packed ice..and many of those are old and no longer sure-footed.

1633 G. Herbert Temple: Sacred Poems 161 True earnest sorrows, rooted miseries,..Sure footed griefs, solid calamities.

1678 R. Cudworth True Intellect. Syst. Universe i. iii. 170 Thus that safe and sure-footed Interpreter, Alex. Aphrodisius, expounds his Masters Meaning.

1736 Authentick Mem. Vanella 24 Sure-footed Vengeance, tho' it moves not fast, Will catch th' unwary Criminal at last.

1849 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. II. vii. 257 The one human being who was able to mislead that farsighted and surefooted judgment.

1864 J. R. Lowell in N. Amer. Rev. Jan. 249 His decision..was worthy of his cautious but sure-footed understanding.

1920 Polit. Sci. Q. 35 674 He is judicious, sure-footed, sweetly reasonable and full of pleasant quotation.

1998 Globe & Mail (Toronto) (Nexis) 15 July 12 Kofi Annan has looked reasonably sure-footed during his first 18 months at the helm of the United Nations.

1743 Daily Advertiser 21 Mar. A White-grey half-Scotch-bred Mare..of agreeable Compactness..and Ability to carry, double or single, the greatest Weight, sure-footedly and easily.

1886 W. D. Howells Indian Summer xx. 355 She..ran down the broken seats and ruined steps so recklessly and yet so sure-footedly.

1998 Speculum 73 815 Here..is the period in which the author moves least surefootedly.

1707 J. Mortimer Whole Art Husbandry ii. 164 Mules..are the best sort of Creatures that are for burden and sure-footedness.

1869 Pall Mall Gaz. 14 July 7 The sturdy old mountaineer's eyesight was failing, and..he had lost of late some of the sure-footedness for which he has been famous.

2013 Western Daily Press (Nexis) 23 Mar. 22 The route upwards is heart-pumpingly steep in places and..a decent level of fitness and surefootedness is a minimum requirement.