steep
adjectivenounverbnounattested in dialogue
- //stiːp//
Of a near-vertical gradient; of a slope, surface, curve, etc. that proceeds upward or downward at an angle approaching vertical.
adjective
- 1
Of a near-vertical gradient; of a slope, surface, curve, etc. that proceeds upward or downward at an angle approaching vertical.
a steep hill or mountain; a steep roof; a steep ascent; a steep barometric gradient
Up these steep walkways cannelured for footpurchase, the free passage of roaches.
[…] Category Two implement hitches and doubled high-traction agricultural tires hung four to each massive rear axle to breast the steepest, softest dune or guckiest swamp […]
- 2
informalExpensive.
Twenty quid for a shave? That's a bit steep.
- 3
obsoleteDifficult to access; not easy reached; lofty; elevated; high.
Her ears and thoughts in steep amaze erected
- 4
resulting in a mast or windshield angle that strongly diverges from the perpendicular.
The steep rake of the windshield enhances the fast lines of the exterior.
Etymology
Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *(s)tew- Proto-Indo-European *(s)tewp-der.? Proto-Germanic *staupaz Proto-West Germanic *staup Old English stēap Middle English steep English steep From Middle English steep, from Old English stēap (“high”), from Proto-Germanic *staupaz, from Proto-Indo-European *(s)tewp- (“to push, stick”). Compare Old Frisian stāp ("high, towering"; > Modern Saterland Frisian stiep (“steep”)), Dutch stoop (“grand; proud”), Middle High German stouf (“towering cliff, precipice”), Middle High German stief (“steep”)). The Proto-Indo-European root (and related) has many and varied descendants, including English stub; compare also Scots stap (“to strike, to forcibly insert”). The sense of “sharp slope” is attested circa 1200; the sense “expensive” is attested US 1856.
noun
- 1
The steep side of a mountain etc.; a slope or acclivity.
It ended precipitously in a dark and narrow ravine, formed on the other side by an opposite mountain, the lofty steep of which was crested by a city gently rising on a gradual slope
[L]ess scared, but not built for gazelle cavorting, so awkward on the steep that she had to take to hands and knees, and looked more like a monkey.
verb
- 1
To soak or wet thoroughly.
They steep skins in a tanning solution to create leather.
The tea is steeping.
A Greek historian Phylarchus describes a white root indigenous to India that caused eunuchism when a person bathed in water in which the root was steeped.
In refreshing dews to steep / The little, trembling flowers.
- 2
To soak or wet thoroughly. To make tea (or other beverages) by soaking leaves in water, which flavors the water.
- 3
figurativeTo imbue with something; to be deeply immersed in.
a town steeped in history
The learned of the nation were steeped in Latin.
We fought against each other, two brothers steeped in blood / But I never doubted that your heart was broken in the flood / And though we had to shoot you down in golden Béal na mBláth / I always knew that Ireland lost her greatest son of all.
Etymology
From Middle English stepen, from Old Norse steypa (“to make stoop, cast down, pour out, cast (metal)”), from Proto-Germanic *staupijaną (“to tumble, make tumble, plunge”), from Proto-Indo-European *(s)tewb- (“to push, hit”). Cognate with Danish støbe (“cast (metal)”), Norwegian støpe, støype, Swedish stöpa (“to found, cast (metal)”), Old English stūpian (“to stoop, bend the back, slope”). Related to stoop.
noun
- 1
A liquid used in a steeping process
Corn steep has many industrial uses.
- 2
A rennet bag.
Forms
- plural
- steeps
- comparative
- steeper
- superlative
- steepest
- past tense
- steeped
- past participle
- steeped
- present participle
- steeping
- third person singular
- steeps
steep · Of a near-vertical gradient; of a slope, surface, curve, etc. that proceeds upward or downward at an angle approaching vertical.
steer · To guide the course of a vessel, vehicle, aircraft etc. (by…Steer · A surname.steering · Equipment used to control direction; something used to steer.