steep

The definition of steep is having an almost vertical incline.

(adjective)

An example of steep is a set of stairs with high steps.

Steep is defined as a place that has an almost vertical incline.

(noun)

An example of steep is a flight of stairs going almost straight up.

Steep means to soak in liquid.

(verb)

An example of steep is to place a teabag in hot water.

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See steep in Webster's New World College Dictionary

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

Origin: 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:

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

Origin: 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

See steep in American Heritage Dictionary 4

adjective steep·er, steep·est
  1. Having a sharp inclination; precipitous.
  2. At a rapid or precipitous rate: a steep rise in salaries.
  3. a. Excessive; stiff: a steep price.
    b. Ambitious; difficult: a steep undertaking.
noun
A precipitous slope.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English stepe

Origin: , from Old English stēap

.

Related Forms:

  • steepˈly adverb
  • steepˈness noun

verb steeped, steep·ing, steeps
verb, transitive
  1. To soak in liquid in order to cleanse, soften, or extract a given property from.
  2. To infuse or subject thoroughly to.
  3. To make thoroughly wet; saturate.
verb, intransitive
To undergo a soaking in liquid.
noun
  1. a. The act or process of steeping.
    b. The state of being steeped.
  2. A liquid, bath, or solution in which something is steeped.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English stepen

Origin: , perhaps of Old English origin

.

Related Forms:

  • steepˈer noun

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