Definition/Meaning of steep

• English - Adjective: steep (comparative steeper, superlative steepest) 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 1979, Cormac McCarthy, Suttree, Random House, page 21: Up these steep walkways cannelured for footpurchase, the free passage of…
• English - Noun: steep (plural steeps) The steep side of a mountain etc.; a slope or acclivity . 1961, Xavier Herbert, Soldiers' Women, Netley, SA: Fontana Books, published 1978, page 98: [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. 1833, Benjamin Disraeli, The Wondrous Tale of Alroy: It ended precipitously in…
• English - Verb: steep (third-person singular simple present steeps, present participle steeping, simple past and past participle steeped) (ambitransitive) To soak or wet thoroughly. The tea is steeping . They steep skins in a tanning solution to create leather. (ambitransitive) To soak or wet thoroughly.: To make tea (or other beverage s) by soak ing leaves in water , which flavors the water. (figuratively,…
• English - References: ↑ 1 . 0 1 . 1 “steep” in Douglas Harper , Online Etymology Dictionary (2001). ^ Danish cognate in ODS: eng . (muligvis fra nordisk) steep ^ steep in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary , G . & C . Merriam, 1913
• English - Etymology: Etymology 1. 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…