steep 1 (stēp)
adj. 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.
n.
A precipitous slope.
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[Middle English stepe, from Old English stēap.]
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steep′ly adv.
steep′ness n.
Synonyms: steep1, abrupt, precipitous, sheer2
These adjectives mean so sharply inclined as to be almost perpendicular: steep cliffs; an abrupt drop-off; precipitous hills; a sheer descent.
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steep 2 (stēp)
v. steeped, steep·ing, steeps
v.tr.
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.
v.intr.
To undergo a soaking in liquid.
n.
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.
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[Middle English stepen, perhaps of Old English origin.]
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steep′er n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition copyright ©2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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steep (stiːp)
adj
1.
a. having or being a slope or gradient approaching the perpendicular
b. (as noun): the steep.
2. (of a fee, price, demand, etc) unduly high; unreasonable (esp in the phrase that's a bit steep)
3. excessively demanding or ambitious: a steep task.
4. Brit (of a statement) extreme or far-fetched
5. elevated
[Old English steap; related to Old Frisian stāp, Old High German stouf cliff, Old Norse staup]
ˈsteeply adv ˈsteepness n
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steep (stiːp)
vb
1. to soak or be soaked in a liquid in order to soften, cleanse, extract an element, etc
2. (tr; usually passive) to saturate; imbue: steeped in ideology.
n
3. an instance or the process of steeping or the condition of being steeped
4. a liquid or solution used for the purpose of steeping something
[Old English stēpan; related to steap vessel, cup, Old High German stouf, Old Norse staup, Middle Dutch stōp]
ˈsteeper n
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003
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steep1 (stip)
adj. -er, -est,
n. adj.
1. having an almost vertical slope or pitch, or a relatively high gradient, as a hill, an ascent, or stairs.
2. (of a price or amount) unduly high; exorbitant.
3. high or lofty.
n.
4. a steep place; declivity, as of a hill.
[before 900; Old English stēap; akin to stoop1]
steep′ly, adv.
steep′ness, n.
steep2 (stip)
v.t.
1. to soak in water or other liquid, as to soften, cleanse, or extract some constituent.
2. to wet thoroughly in or with a liquid; drench; saturate; imbue.
3. to saturate with some pervading or absorbing influence or agency: an incident steeped in mystery.
v.i.
4. to lie soaking in a liquid.
n.
5. the act or process of steeping or the state of being steeped.
6. a liquid in which something is steeped.
[1350–1400; (v.) Middle English stepen, obscurely akin to Dan støba, Swedish stöpa to steep]
steep′er, n.
