steepness

Variant of steep

steep 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:

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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