steep Hear it!

steep1 definition

steep (stēp)

adjective

  1. having a sharp rise or highly inclined slope; precipitous a steep incline
  2. Informal
    1. unreasonably high or great; exorbitant; excessive steep demands, a steep price
    2. extreme; exaggerated a rather steep statement
  3. Obsolete high; lofty

Etymology: ME < OE steap, lofty, high, akin to OFris steep, MHG stouf, cliff (as in Ger Hohenstaufen) < IE *steup- < base *(s)teu-, to strike, butt > stock, stub, L tundere, to strike

noun

a steep slope or incline

Related Forms:

steep2 definition

steep (stēp)

transitive verb

  1. to soak in liquid, so as to soften, clean, extract the essence of, etc.
  2. to immerse, saturate, absorb, or imbue steeped in folklore

Etymology: ME stepen, akin to ON steypa, to overturn, cast (metals), plunge into: for prob. IE base see steep

intransitive verb

to be steeped, as tea leaves

noun

  1. a steeping or being steeped
  2. liquid in which something is steeped

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