steep
adjective
No English definition recorded for this entry.
L28019 on Wikidata ↗noun
No English definition recorded for this entry.
L328478 on Wikidata ↗verb
- soak for a long time
Wiktionary
Pronunciation: /stiːp/
adj
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.
- Of a near-vertical gradient; of a slope, surface, curve, etc. that proceeds upward at an angle near vertical.
“a steep hill or mountain; a steep roof; a steep ascent; a steep barometric gradient”
“They will be called upon to deal with freight trains of up to 900 tons over gradients considerably steeper than those of the Central Section—for example, the frequent stretches of 1 in 100 between Victoria and the Medway towns—and their running to fast schedules will include the haulage of the "Night Ferry", which may load up to as much as 700 tons, and fully-fitted trains of 30 or more heavy Continental train ferry wagons.”
- Expensive.
“Twenty quid for a shave? That's a bit steep.”
- Difficult to access; not easy reached; lofty; elevated; high.
“Her ears and thoughts in steep amaze erected”
- 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.”
noun
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.
- A liquid used in a steeping process
“Corn steep has many industrial uses.”
- A rennet bag.
verb
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.
- To soak or wet thoroughly.
“They steep skins in a tanning solution to create leather.”
“The tea is steeping.”
- To imbue with something; to be deeply immersed in.
“a town steeped in history”
“The learned of the nation were steeped in Latin.”
- To make tea (or other beverage) by placing leaves in hot water.