steep

Definition from Wiktionary, a free dictionary

Contents 1 English 1.1 Pronunciation 1.2 Etymology 1 1.2.1 Adjective 1.2.1.1 Translations 1.3 Etymology 2 1.3.1 Verb 1.3.1.1 Translations 1.3.2 Noun 1.4 References

[edit] English

[edit] Pronunciation

• enPR: stēp, IPA: /stiːp/, SAMPA: /sti:p/
• Rhymes: -iːp
•  Audio (US)^{help, file}

[edit] Etymology 1

Old English stēap

[edit] Adjective

steep (comparative steeper, superlative steepest)

1. Of a near-vertical gradient; of a slope, surface, curve, etc. that proceeds upward at an angle near vertical.
2. (informal) expensive

   That's a bit steep.

[edit] Translations

[edit] Etymology 2

Probably from Old Norse^[1][2] steypa (“‘to make stoop, cast down, pour out’”) ( > Danish støbe (“‘cast (metal)’”), Norwegian støpe/støype), or (Verification for this etymology is sought): Old English *stīepan.

[edit] Verb

to steep (third-person singular simple present steeps, present participle steeping, simple past and past participle steeped)

1. To soak an item (or to be soaked) in liquid in order to gradually add or remove components to or from the item

   Skins are steeped in a tanning solution to create leather

2. To be imbued with an abstract quality

   A town steeped in history

3. (US) and (British) To make tea (or other beverage) by placing leaves in hot water.

[edit] Translations

[edit] Noun

steep (uncountable)

1. A liquid used in a steeping process

   Corn steep has many industrial uses

[edit] References

• Notes:

1. ^ Danish cognate in ODS: eng. (muligvis fra nordisk) steep
2. ^ steep in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913