precarious vs steady

precarious

adj
  • Depending on the intention of another. 

  • Dangerously insecure or unstable; perilous. 

  • Relating to incipient caries. 

steady

adj
  • Constant in feeling, purpose, or pursuit; not fickle, changeable, or wavering; not easily moved or persuaded to alter a purpose; resolute. 

  • Smooth and not bumpy or with obstructions. 

  • Regular and even. 

  • Firm in standing or position; not tottering or shaking; fixed; firm. 

  • Slow. 

noun
  • A rest or support, as for the hand, a tool, or a piece of work. 

  • A regular boyfriend or girlfriend. 

  • A prostitute's regular customer. 

particle
  • Aspect marker indicating consistency or intensity. 

adv
  • To row with pressure at a low stroke-rating, often 18 strokes per minute. 

verb
  • To become stable. 

  • To stabilize; to prevent from shaking. 

How often have the words precarious and steady occurred in a corpus of books? (source: Google Ngram Viewer )