steepn.1
/stiːp/, U.S. /stip/ 1.
a. The process of steeping or soaking; the state of being steeped, esp. in (to lay) †a steep (obsolete), †in a steep (obsolete), in steep.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > liquid > condition of being or making wet > action or process of soaking or steeping > [noun]
steepc1430
soakingc1440
steepingc1440
imbibing1584
imbution1657
insuccation1664
soakage1855
c1430 Two Cookery-bks. i. 16 Take þe brothe, þe pouches & þe lyuerys wer sodoun in, in a stipe or on fayre brede.
1526 Grete Herball ccccxvii. sig. Y.vv And lete the fylynge lay a stepe a day and a nyght in vyneygre.
1563 T. Gale Certaine Wks. Chirurg. iv. ii. f. 24v Let all these be beaten together and layed in stepe in Rose water.
1601 P. Holland tr. Pliny Hist. World II. xxxii. vii. 439 The same ought first to be cut or shred small, and then to lie infused or in steepe a whole day and a night in water or vinegre.
1707 J. Mortimer Whole Art Husbandry 175 Take Plantain, Rue, [etc.]..of each an handful,..lay them in steep in a Pint of old wash.
1709 G. Baillie Househ. Bk. (1911) 74 For makeing 2 stip of mallt..£6.0.0.
1765 Museum Rusticum 3 220 If barley is left too long on the steep in the same water, the water will grow slimy.
1800 Act 41 Geo. III c. 6 (title) For shortening..the Time of keeping in Steep for malting, Barley damaged by Rain.
1851 A. Marshall in H. Schroeder Ann. Yorksh. (1851) I. 419 Turning the beets inside out for the second steep.
1876 Encycl. Brit. IV. 267/2 81½ bushels of good dry barley will, after forty-eight hours steep, swell to exactly 100 bushels.
1905 W. R. Mackintosh Around Orkney Peat-fires (ed. 2) ii. 126 A farmer..had just taken his malt out of steep, when two excisemen paid him a visit.
b. figurative.
ΚΠ
1592 T. Nashe Pierce Penilesse (Brit. Libr. copy) sig. F2 v I haue tearmes (if I be vext) laid in steepe in Aqua fortis.
?1615 G. Chapman tr. Homer Odysses (new ed.) ii. 29 She..sweete sleepe Powr'd on each wooer; which so laid in steepe Their drowsie temples, that each brow did nod.
1628 R. Sanderson Two Serm. Paules-Crosse ii. 94 Hee..,doth but lay more roddes in steepe for his owne backe.
1895 ‘I. Maclaren’ Beside Bonnie Brier Bush 255 Man [doctor], ye 'ill need tae pit yir brains in steep. Is she clean beyond ye?
ΘΚΠ
the world > animals > mammals > group Ungulata (hoofed) > group Ruminantia (sheep, goats, cows, etc.) > male > [noun] > midday plunge in hot weather
the steep1486
1486 Bk. St. Albans e iiij b To the stepe then thay goon yche hote day at noon... The cause of the steepe is to weere hym fro the flee.
1575 G. Gascoigne Noble Arte Venerie xxxvii. 100 A Hart goeth to the steepe at noone in the heate of the day to keepe him from the flye.
1575 G. Gascoigne Noble Arte Venerie lxxix. 242 He goeth to the Steppe.
ΘΚΠ
society > occupation and work > equipment > receptacle or container > vessel > vessels for other specific purposes > [noun] > for steeping
steep1614
steeper1737
1614 in W. S. Gibson Hist. Monastery Tynemouth (1846) II. 122 Repayring the Malthowse, Host and Steep, lx.s.
4. The liquid in which a thing is placed to undergo soaking or maceration; a prepared liquor used as a dyeing bath or cleansing wash; a solution or bath in which metals are dipped in preparation for electroplating; in Agriculture a wash for seeds; often with qualifying word, as alum, bran, lime steep, etc.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > farming > cultivation or tillage > sowing > [noun] > treatment of seed > wash for seeds
steep1759
the world > physical sensation > cleanness and dirtiness > cleaning > washing > washing agents > [noun] > water or solutions > for soaking or steeping
steep1759
presoak1919
1759 J. Mills tr. H. L. Duhamel du Monceau Pract. Treat. Husbandry i. xvii. 106 Steeps were brought very early into use in husbandry.
1805 R. W. Dickson Pract. Agric. I. 446 Steeps or pickles of these kinds appear to have been principally made use of for preparing wheat, in order to prevent it from being affected with disease.
1839 A. Ure Dict. Arts 600 The manufacturer..is..careful to ensure their purification by subjecting them to a weak lime steep.
1882 W. Crookes Dyeing & Tissue-printing 134 The second peachwood beck may be saved and used for the first peachwood steep of the next lot.
1886 A. Watt Electro-deposition 287 Dips, or Steeps. Besides the potash solution, certain other liquids are employed in the nickel-plating after the work has been ‘potashed’ and scoured.
1891 G. E. Bonney Electro-plater's Handbk. 107 The required condition of surface for plating may be imparted by dipping them in an acid solution... The acid solutions are known as ‘dips’ or ‘steeps’.
1897 W. G. Smith tr. K. F. von Tubeuf Dis. Plants 65 Sterilization of the seed..is chiefly carried out by the use of ‘steeps’, which kill the smut-spores adherent to the seed.
5.
a. = rennet n.1
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > food > substances for food preparation > [noun] > rennet
cheeselipeOE
runningOE
yearning1371
congealinga1398
renninga1398
rueninga1398
rundlesa1400
curd?1440
rendles1440
pressure1486
rennet?a1500
ruen1510
runnet1577
rennet bag1611
earning1615
coagulum1658
cheese rennet1671
steep1688
stomach-bag1704
vell1724
1688 R. Holme Acad. Armory iii. 244/1 Bad Cheese..made of Burnt Milk, and of stinking and bad Runnet or Steep.
1771 E. Raffald Experienced Eng. Housekeeper (ed. 2) App. 373 To make Cream Cheese. Put one large spoonful of steep to five quarts of afterings.
1845 Jrnl. Royal Agric. Soc. 6 i. 108 The rennet, or steep as it is commonly called, is next added.
1895 E. Rydings Manx Tales 65 And, Mrs. Kelly, I'll be sendin' you a boddle of steep.
b. Scottish. The plant Ranunculus flammula.
ΘΚΠ
the world > plants > particular plants > plants and herbs > according to family > Ranunculaceae (crowfoot and allies) > [noun] > spearwort
spearworta1400
spear-grass1548
spickwort1575
banewort1578
spire-grass1626
butter plate1853
steep1894
1894 J. Shaw in R. Wallace Country Schoolmaster (1899) 354 Steep, Ranunculus flammula, from its acting like rennet.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1916; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
steepadj.n.2adv.
/stiːp/, U.S. /stip/ A. adj.† 1. † b. = ‘High’ in certain transferred uses. Of warriors or their attributes: Of high courage, noble. Of a voice: High, loud. Obsolete.
a. Extending to a great height; elevated, lofty.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > extension in space > measurable spatial extent > vertical extent > [adjective] > great or considerable
higheOE
steepOE
heaven-highOE
highlyOE
brentc1400
hightc1480
hichty1513
procere1542
tall1548
spiringa1552
towereda1552
tower-like1552
upstretched1563
airy1565
excelse1569
haughty1570
topless1589
lofty1590
procerous1599
kiss-sky1603
skyish1604
topful?1611
aspiringc1620
sky-high1622
hiddy1632
tiptoed1632
sublime1635
towering1638
soaring1687
mountain high1693
clamberinga1717
skied1730
towery1731
pyramidic1740
skyey1750
skyward1792
skyscraping1797
exulting1798
high-reaching1827
steepling1892
high-rise1964
hi1972
the world > space > relative position > inclination > [adjective] > inclined from level or sloping > steep (except of hills, etc.)
staira1175
slidingc1325
steepa1400–50
side?a1475
right-up1511
steep-down1530
steepwise1542
headlonga1557
steep-up?a1560
pitch hill1560
pendent1587
high-pitched1596
steeped1596
perpendicular1598
steepy1735
declivitous1799
steepish1814
escarped1853
steep-cut1888
swooping1956
OE Riddle 3 10 Hornsalu wagiað, wera wicstede, weallas beofiað, steape ofer stiwitum.
OE Beowulf 222 Beorgas steape.
c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1978) l. 9887 [They] mid eorðe & mid stanen stepne hul makeden.
a1400–50 Wars Alex. 4828 A cliffe at to þe cloudis semed, Þat was so staire & so stepe.
c1400 (?c1380) Cleanness l. 1396 & Baltazar vpon bench was busked to sete, Stepe stayred stones of his stoute throne.
c1440 Promptorium Parvulorum 474/1 Steepe, nowt lowe, elevatus, ascendens.
?1615 G. Chapman tr. Homer Odysses (new ed.) i. 200 To a roome they came, Steepe, and of state.
1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost iv. 135 Where delicious Paradise,..Crowns with her enclosure green,..the champain head Of a steep wilderness. View more context for this quotation
1709 I. Watts Horæ Lyricæ (ed. 2) i. 59 His Breath can raise the Billows steep, Or sink them to the Sand.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > courage > valour > warlike valour > [adjective]
proudc1275
steepc1275
wightc1275
sturdy1297
stoutc1325
valiantc1330
stern1390
martialc1425
pertc1450
stalwartc1480
talla1529
handsome1665
the world > physical sensation > hearing and noise > voice or vocal sound > quality of voice > [adjective] > loud or resonant
loud971
highlyOE
stithc1000
strongOE
steepc1275
stiff1377
strengthfula1382
gross1398
stentorious15..
open-mouthed?1533
wildc1550
preclare?1553
strainable1569
trolling1581
main1582
wide-mouthed1589
full-mouthed1594
wide-mouth?c1599
stentorian1606
trump-like1609
stentorophonic1678
strenuous1680
open-mouth1702
stentorial1754
stentoronic1762
full-throated1820
trumpety1822
Stentor1837
c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1963) l. 2932 And maken we..auer-alche hæpe. hertoȝe stæpne.
c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1963) l. 772 Cuð nu þine strengða & þina stepa main [c1300 Otho þine mochele mihte].
c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1963) l. 768 Þer wes moni steap [c1300 Otho bold] mon mid stele to-swngen.
a1400 Coer de L. 5985 Kyng Richard..cryyd on hym with voys ful stepe, ‘Home, schrewe!’
2. † a. Of eyes: Projecting, prominent (also steep-out); staring; glaring with passion.† b. Of jewels, eyes, stars: Brilliant. In later use only of eyes, in the poetical phrase steep and gray. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > shape > unevenness > projection or prominence > [adjective]
steepc1000
tooting?c1225
strutting1387
prominent?1440
extant1540
eminent?1541
pouting1563
poking1566
out1576
egregious1578
promontory1579
out-pointed1585
buttinga1593
outjetting1598
perking1598
jettying1609
juttying1609
out-jutting1611
outstanding1611
upsticking1611
out-shooting1622
jutting1624
outgrowing1625
rank1625
toting1645
projectinga1652
porrected1653
protruded1654
protruding1654
upcast1658
protending1659
jettinga1661
raised1663
starting1680
emersed1686
exerted1697
projective1703
jet-out1709
exorbitant1715
sticking1715
foreright1736
poky1754
perked-up1779
salient1789
prouda1800
overdriven1812
extrusive1816
stand-up1818
shouldering1824
jutty1827
outflung1830
sticky-out1839
sticking-up1852
outreaching1853
protrusive1858
out-thrusting1869
stickout1884
protrudent1891
the world > life > the body > external parts of body > head > face > eye > [adjective] > by size, shape, etc.
steepc1000
standing1340
glazenc1380
glassy1412
ungladlyc1450
sparklinga1500
goggle1540
pinking1566
whally1590
vailed1591
unweeping1598
dejected1600
unwet1601
glossed1602
haggard1605
saucer-like1612
saucer1618
glaring1622
uncast1629
startling1648
poppinga1696
upraised1707
glancy1733
glazed1735
almond1786
open-eyed1799
bald1807
glazing1808
lustreless1810
unfathomable1817
vague1820
soulless1824
beady1826
socketless1833
fishy1836
glazy1838
popped1849
agoggled1860
uprolled1864
unfaceted1893
shoe-button1895
poppy1899
googly1901
slitty1908
bead-berry1923
c1000 Ælfric Homilies I. 456 He hæfð steape eagan [= L. ‘oculi grandes’, Pass. S. Bartholomæi].
a1225 Leg. Kath. 307 Þe keiser bistarede hire wið swiðe steape ehnen hwil þat ha spek þus.
c1320 Sir Beues 685 Wiþ stepe eiȝen & rowe bren So loþeliche he gan on hem sen,..þai were aferde.
1397 J. Trevisa tr. Bartholomew de Glanville De Proprietatibus Rerum (1495) iii. xvii. 64 Grete and stepe eyen [L. oculus eminens]..se not well aferre: but depe eyen se wel aferre.
c1400 tr. Secreta Secret., Gov. Lordsh. 115 He þat hauys steepe-owt eghen [L. oculos extensos] ys malicious & feloun.
c1405 (c1387–95) G. Chaucer Canterbury Tales Prol. (Hengwrt) (2003) l. 201 His heed was balled..Hise eyen steepe, and rollynge in his heed.
a1450 (c1410) H. Lovelich Hist. Holy Grail xiii. l. 651 With grete stepe Eyen In his hed Also.
c1540 (?a1400) Destr. Troy 3758 Crispe herit was the kyng,..Stokyn ene out stepe with a streught loke.
c1540 (?a1400) Destr. Troy 7724 His Ene [were] leuenaund with light as a low fyn, With stremys full stithe in his stepe loke.
1555 W. Waterman tr. J. Boemus Fardle of Facions ii. x. 212 The Tartares are very deformed,..hauying great stiepe eyes.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > light > intensity of light > [adjective] > bright
shininga900
lighteOE
lightlyOE
sheenOE
torhtOE
shirea1000
steepa1000
shimmeringc1000
brightOE
strongOE
clear1297
fair?a1300
bright-shininga1387
merrya1393
skirea1400
lucident14..
shimc1400
staringc1400
luculentc1420
splendent1474
illuminousc1485
lucentc1500
bloominga1522
sheer1565
prelucent1568
faculent1575
splendant1578
lucid1591
neat1591
shine1596
translucent1596
well-lighted1606
nitid1615
lucible1623
dilucid1653
translucid1657
hard1660
the mind > attention and judgement > beauty > splendour > [adjective] > radiant
shininga900
gladOE
steepa1000
lightsomea1382
freshlyc1426
prefulgentc1480
flagrant?a1500
radiant1509
glazed?1510
refulgent1528
bright-headeda1560
shone1595
tinsel1595
skinkling1790
epiphanous1823
foudroyant1860
a1000 Gnomic Verses (Gr.) i. 23 Gim sceal on hringe standan steap & geap.
a1000 Solomon & Saturn 284 Ne mæg hit steorra ne stan ne se steapa gimm..wihte beswican.
a1225 Leg. Kath. 1647 A deorewurðe wal, schininde, & schenre, of ȝimstanes steapre Þen is eni steorre.
a1225 St. Marher. 9 His twa ehnen steappre þene steorren ant þene ȝimstanes ant brad as bascins.
c1330 King of Tars 15 Eyyen stepe and graye.
c1400 (?c1380) Cleanness (1920) l. 583 By-þenk þe sumtyme, Wheþer he þat stykked vche a stare in vche steppe yȝe, Ȝif hym self be bore blynde hit is a brod wonder.
a1529 J. Skelton Phyllyp Sparowe (?1545) sig. C.viii Her eyen gray and stepe Causeth myne hert to lepe.
1577 J. Grange Golden Aphroditis sig. Gjv Hir twinckling eyne bothe steepe and grey, they seeme like Christall cleare.
3. † c. Of a ditch, cave or the like: Having precipitous sides or entrance. Obsolete.† d. Of a forehead: Upright, high. Obsolete. rare.† e. Of water: Having a headlong course, flowing precipitously. Of rain (Scottish): Pouring. Obsolete.
a. Of a hill, mountain, cliff: Having an almost perpendicular face or slope, precipitous. Of a gradient or slope, a staircase, etc.: High-pitched.The sense probably goes back to Old English, but is difficult to authenticate, as when applied to mountains, cliffs, etc. the word probably expressed a mixed notion of senses A. 1, A. 3.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > means of travel > route or way > way, path, or track > [adjective] > uphill or steep
steepc1175
acclive1616
uphill1622
upwith1864
uphillward1876
the world > the earth > land > landscape > high land > slope > [adjective] > steep
stickleOE
steepc1175
shore14..
steyc1480
proclive1524
steeping1530
brant1545
steepy1565
abrupt1591
dreich1597
downsteepy1603
acclive1616
arduous1711
sharp1725
acclivous1730
rapid1785
declivitous1799
acclivitous1803
scarped1823
proclivitous1860
stoss1878
resequent1906
c1175 Ormulum (Burchfield transcript) l. 11379 & ȝet te deofell..brohhte himm onn an lawe. Þatt wass well swiþe stæp & heh.
13.. K. Alis. 7041 Theo path on mount was narwe and stepe, In valeys, dark and deope.
1539 T. Elyot Castel of Helthe (new ed.) 50 b Stronge or violente exercises be these..clymmyng or walkyng against a stipe vpright hyll.
1549 W. Thomas Hist. Italie f. 161 I thynke the stipe descent of the hill causeth, that they haue not roome enough to make theyr stretes large.
1598 W. Shakespeare Love's Labour's Lost iv. i. 2 Was that the king that spurd his horse so hard, Against the steepe vp rising of the hill? View more context for this quotation
1605 R. Verstegan Restit. Decayed Intelligence iv. 98 These clifs..are..as it were cut of stiep or straight down, from the top to the bottom.
1610 P. Holland tr. W. Camden Brit. i. 344 A mighty ridge of steepe high Cliffs [L. cautium eminentia]..runneth for seaven miles or there about, as far as to Dover.
1611 Bible (King James) Matt. viii. 32 The whole herd of swine ranne violently downe a steepe place into the Sea. View more context for this quotation
1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost ii. 71 The way seems difficult and steep to scale With upright wing against a higher foe. View more context for this quotation
a1684 J. Evelyn Diary anno 1670 (1955) III. 560 Those huge steepe stayres ascending to it.
1718 Lady M. W. Montagu Let. Sept. (1965) I. 435 The Descent is..steep and slippery.
1796 H. Hunter tr. J.-H. B. de Saint-Pierre Stud. Nature (1799) I. 137 The declivity of the bason of the Sea is much steeper than that of the bounding lands.
1813 P. B. Shelley Queen Mab ix. 121 Again the burning wheels inflame The steep descent of heaven's untrodden way.
1838 T. Arnold Hist. Rome I. 32 The hills of Rome are..low in height but with steep and rocky sides.
1876 M. E. Braddon Joshua Haggard's Daughter II. 17 The narrow path..had been cut into steps where the slope was steepest.
1884 American 8 86 The road was built with needlessly steep gradients.
b. transferred of movement. poetic.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > upward movement > [adjective] > rising steeply
steep1603
steepy1681
1603 M. Drayton Barrons Wars vi. xxii. 129 That slippery way Where the most worldly prouident doe slide, Feeling the steepe fall threatning sure decay.
1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost iii. 741 [He] Throws his steep flight with [errata in] many an Aerie wheele. View more context for this quotation
1818 P. B. Shelley Homer's Hymn to Sun 22 His rapid steeds soon bear him to the West; Where their steep flight his hands divine arrest.
ΘΚΠ
the world > the earth > land > landscape > low land > hole or pit > [adjective] > cave > steep-sided
steep1569
1569 R. Grafton Chron. II. 974 With diuers fortresses in the ditches, which were so broade and so plumme steepe that was wonder to beholde.
1598 Extracts Burgh Rec. Glasgow (1876) 189 His steip trocht and wolt biggit be him.
1601 Extracts Burgh Rec. Glasgow (1876) 189 Ane steip troche.
1608 E. Topsell Hist. Serpents 10 Ouid writeth:——Longo caput extulit antro, Cæruleus serpens..that is, The greenish Serpent extolld her head from denne so steepe.
ΘΚΠ
the world > life > the body > external parts of body > head > face > forehead > [adjective] > types of
brentc1400
high?c1450
steep1509
high-browed?1614
broad-fronteda1616
bluff1665
low-browed1734
lofty1798
baby-browed1843
bluff-browed1851
beautiful-browed1913
1509 S. Hawes Pastime of Pleasure (1845) xxx. 146 Her forehead stepe, with fayre browes ybent.
ΘΚΠ
the world > the earth > water > flow or flowing > [adjective] > swiftly or violently
steepc1330
sturdy1426
fast-flowing1560
heady1562
strick1629
the world > the earth > weather and the atmosphere > weather > precipitation or atmospheric moisture > rain > [adjective] > heavy
steepc1330
pissingc1475
thightc1480
pouring1577
pashing1581
sad1590
steep-down1601
solid1621
even down1622
sluicy1697
pelting1710
buck1732
steeping1774
peppering1827
sluicing1847
torrential1849
peltering1858
plumping1879
teeming1880
lashing1885
monsoonish1886
sheeting1940
c1330 Arth. & Merl. 1450 Her vnder is a ȝerde depe A water, boþe swift & stepe.
1637 J. Milton Comus 4 And the gilded Carre of Day His glowing Axle doth allay, In the steepe Atlantik streame.
1659 A. Hay Diary (1901) 149 Mr Rot Broun and I cam away from Lanerick in a very steep raine.
1673 J. Milton Psalm LXXXI in Poems (new ed.) 148 I tri'd thee at the water steep of Meriba renown'd.
f. Coal Mining. Of a seam or measure: Having a high inclination.
ΘΚΠ
the world > the earth > minerals > mineral deposits > features of stratum or vein > [adjective] > high inclination
steep1883
1883 W. S. Gresley Gloss. Terms Coal Mining 239 Steep seams [of coal].
1892 Labour Comm. Gloss. Steep Measures, a description of the seams of coal on the South crop..in South Wales, which are highly inclined.
g. steepest descent(s) (Mathematics), used with reference to a method of finding a minimum of a function of two or more variables by repeatedly evaluating it at a point displaced from the previous point in the direction that locally involved the greatest drop in its value.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > number > algebra > [adjective] > relating to expressions > relating to functions > of method for finding minimum
steepest descent(s)1939
1939 Proc. Royal Soc. 1938–9 A. 169 484 In the method of steepest descents the displacement affects all co-ordinates and affects them in the ratio of their residual forces.
1943 Bull. Amer. Math. Soc. 49 18 We now choose the line along which the motion proceeds so that the descent is as steep as possible (lines of steepest descent).
1974 P. R. Adby & M. A. H. Dempster Introd. Optimization Methods iii. 57 The steepest descent method uses the Jacobian gradient g to determine a suitable direction of movement.
4. In occasional figurative uses. (Very common in Milton).† b. Of a difficulty: Hard to surmount. Obsolete.† c. = headlong adj. 1a. Obsolete.
a. Of an aim, an undertaking, etc.: Arduous, full of difficulty, ambitious.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > difficulty > [adjective] > difficult to do or accomplish
higheOE
grievousc1386
steep1598
arduous1718
leg-breaking1835
knobby1862
nut-cracking1982
1598 T. Bastard Chrestoleros iv. xii. 85 His heedlesse good and steepe presumptuousnesse.
1816 Ld. Byron Childe Harold: Canto III cv. 57 They were gigantic minds, and their steep aim, Was, Titan-like, on daring doubts to pile Thoughts which [etc.].
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > difficulty > [adjective] > of difficulties: hard to surmount
steep1644
severe1774
1644 J. Milton Areopagitica 1 To which [bound of civill liberty]..wee are already in good part arriv'd, and yet from such a steepe disadvantage of tyranny and superstition grounded into our principles.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > manner of action > rapidity or speed of action or operation > [adjective] > acting with haste > foolishly or recklessly
hastivec1300
racklec1300
hastya1375
foolhastya1393
headya1425
properant1531
headlonga1533
steep1601
precipitate1607
precipitant1608
proclive1609
precipitious1612
precipitous1646
precipitating1681
ram-stam1786
precipit1922
1601 B. Jonson Epos in R. Chester Loves Martyr 180 Who..Would at suggestion of a steepe Desire, Cast himselfe from the spire Of all his Happinesse?
1649 J. Milton Εικονοκλαστης v. 42 The stay and support of all things from that steep ruin, to which he had nigh brought them.
1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost vi. 324 It met The sword of Satan with steep force to smite Descending. View more context for this quotation
1673 J. Milton Psalm VII in Poems (new ed.) 141 With ruine steep.
d. Of inequalities, contrasts: Violent, extreme.
ΚΠ
1856 R. W. Emerson Eng. Traits xviii. 305 The feudal system survives in the steep inequality of property and privilege.
1856 R. W. Emerson Eng. Traits vi. 118 The range of nations from which London draws, and the steep contrasts of condition create the picturesque in society.
5. slang. Excessive, extravagant, ‘stiff’, ‘tall’. Of a price, an amount: Exorbitant. Of a story, etc.: Exaggerated, incredible.
ΘΚΠ
society > trade and finance > monetary value > price > high price or rate > [adjective]
high1542
strong1599
rank1604
exorbitant1670
extravagant1707
stiff1824
sky-high1829
steep1856
stratospherical1936
the world > relative properties > quantity > greatness of quantity, amount, or degree > high or intense degree > [adjective] > specifically of difference
far1509
steep1856
the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > exaggeration, hyperbole > [adjective] > extravagant, excessive
overdoinga1425
ramping1484
egregious1566
desperatea1568
outlandish1588
hyperbolical1589
furious1671
wanton1680
outré1722
steep1856
plush horse1936
the world > relative properties > quantity > sufficient quantity, amount, or degree > excessive amount or degree > [adjective] > excessive or too great in amount or degree > excessive in degree
unmeasurablea1398
dismeasurec1400
dismeasurable1477
dismeasured1483
over1494
endlya1513
intolerable1544
wide1574
overloading1576
unconscionable1576
meanless1587
powerable1588
hyperbolical1589
extravagant1598
grievous1632
flagrant1634
exorbitant1648
overbearinga1708
unbalanced1712
well-favoured1746
steep1856
thick1884
ripe1918
the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > exaggeration, hyperbole > [adjective]
hyperbolical?a1475
overchargeda1542
magnificate1568
amplified1580
superlative1586
fulsome1602
hyperthetical?1611
hyperbolous1638
hyperbolic1646
bloata1657
exaggerated1725
overshot1774
overstuffed1808
overdrawn1841
fine-drawn1888
steep1895
larger-than-life1937
blown-up1961
the mind > mental capacity > belief > disbelief, incredulity > [adjective] > unbelievable > taxing credulity
tough1820
steep1895
1856 Knickerbocker Mag. Apr. 362 in R. H. Thornton Amer. Gloss. (1912) He's too steep in his price, anyway.
1857 Chicago Tribune 17 Oct. One hundred and ten Winnebago Indians, wearing their blankets, voted the Democratic ticket; but the agent thought this was rather steep, so he afterwards crossed that number from the list.
1895 Westm. Gaz. 22 Apr. 4/3 This is rather a steep statement, even for a party that exists on credit.
1901 Munsey's Mag. 24 441/1 Forty thousand marks..is a pretty steep price even for a royal motor carriage.
B. n.2† 2. a steep (adverbial phr.), steeply sloping. Obsolete.
1. in extended use.1860 C. Dickens et al. Message from Sea iv, in All Year Round Extra Christmas No., 13 Dec. 37/2 Having..launched the boat, down the steep of the deck, into the water.
a. The declivity or slope of a mountain, hill, cliff; a steep or precipitous place.
ΘΚΠ
the world > the earth > land > landscape > high land > slope > [noun] > steep
cliffOE
cleevec1300
hangingc1400
braea1500
steep1555
steepness1585
proclivity1645
upright1712
sliddera1793
snab1797
scarp1802
escarpment1815
shin1817
escarp1856
hag1868
jump-off1873
inface1896
fault-scarp1897
scarping1909
fault-line scarp1911
steephead1918
jump-up1927
1555 R. Eden tr. Peter Martyr of Angleria Decades of Newe Worlde ii. ix. f. 84 Ryuers..wherwith al suche trees as are planted on the stiepe or foote of the mountaynes, as vines..are watered.
1615 G. Sandys Relation of Journey 27 Having climbed the mountaine steepe towards the sea.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Midsummer Night's Dream (1623) ii. i. 69 Why art thou heere Come from the farthest steepe [1600 steppe] of India?
1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost iv. 680 How often from the steep Of echoing Hill..have we heard Celestial voices. View more context for this quotation
1720 D. Defoe Mem. Cavalier 80 On the Steep of the Rock was a Bastion.
1791 W. Bartram Trav. N. & S. Carolina 341 They then pass on rapidly to a high perpendicular steep of rocks.
1801 T. Campbell Ye Mariners of Eng. 22 Britannia needs no bulwarks, No towers along the steep.
1861 M. Arnold Southern Night 23 There, where Gibraltar's cannon'd steep O'erfrowns the wave.
1883 A. I. Ritchie Bk. of Sibyls i. 2 The old..highroad.. winds its way resolutely up the steep.
1899 Daily News 24 Oct. 5/4 He broke and fell back, being driven pell mell over the steeps to the rear of his position.
b. poetic of the sky.
ΚΠ
1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Georgics i, in tr. Virgil Wks. 67 The setting Sun survey, When down the Steep of Heav'n he drives the Day. View more context for this quotation
1837 T. Carlyle French Revol. I. ii. i. 43 Behold the new morning glittering down the eastern steeps.
1850 ‘S. Yendys’ Roman ii. 26 Let me breathe thee round the base Of the celestial steep.
1878 J. Miller Songs Italy 87 I have looked to the steeps of the starry sky.
c. figurative.
ΚΠ
1744 E. Young Complaint: Night the Seventh 35 By straining up the Steep of Excellent..What gains she?
1780 J. Adams in J. Adams & A. Adams Familiar Lett. (1876) 380 Hercules marches here in full view of the steeps of virtue on one hand and the flowery paths of pleasure on the other.
1877 L. Morris Epic of Hades iii. 32 For Knowledge is a steep which few may climb, While Duty is a path which all may tread.
1883 S. C. Hall Retrospect Long Life II. 132 His first wife helped him up the steep, cheered him on the way [etc.].
1910 W. James Mem. & Stud. 275 The notion of a sheep's paradise like that revolts, they say, our higher imagination. Where then would be the steeps of life?
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > relative position > inclination > obliquely [phrase] > steeply sloping
a steep1573
1573 T. Tusser Fiue Hundreth Points Good Husbandry (new ed.) f. 42 Some maketh a hollownes, halfe a foote deepe, with fower sets in it, set slant wise a steepe.
C. adv.† 3. With the eyes wide open. Obsolete.
1. With a steep slope, abruptly.
ΘΚΠ
the world > the earth > land > landscape > high land > slope > [adverb] > steeply
steep1548
abruptly1623
precipitously1659
steeply1772
precipitately1794
1548 W. Thomas Ital. Gram. & Dict. (1550) Rattezza, quickenesse, or the goyng stype vp hyll.
1548 T. Cooper Bibliotheca Eliotæ (rev. ed.) Præruptè, stype without any bendying.
2. to run steep = to run high at high adv. Phrases 5.
ΘΚΠ
the world > the earth > water > flow or flowing > wave > movement of waves > move restlessly about [verb (intransitive)] > run high, surge, or heave
flash1387
lifta1400
walterc1400
waverc1425
welter1489
jaw1513
roll?1532
surge1566
billow1596
to run high1598
estuate1658
to run steep1894
roil1913
1894 Outing 24 475/2 Others..are never so happy as when enjoying a glorious thresh to windward, with..the sea running steep.
ΘΚΠ
the world > life > the body > external parts of body > head > face > eye > [adverb] > by size, shape, etc.
steep14..
thrawnlya1522
haggardly1860
saucer-like1861
radiantly1877
14.. Guy Warw. 7730 He lokyd vp steype starande.
Compounds
C1. Compounds of the adjective.
a. attributive and in other combinations.
steep-grade adj.
ΚΠ
1896 Daily News 25 Feb. 5/4 The..steep-grade tramway.
b. Chiefly parasynthetic.
steep-backed adj.
ΚΠ
1889 F. Cowper Capt. of Wight 227 The old man once more turned to climb the steep-backed hill.
steep-faced adj.
ΚΠ
1894 J. C. Atkinson Mem. Old Whitby 60 The steep-faced cliff.
steep-fronted adj.
ΚΠ
1936 Nature 21 Mar. 491/2 The test piece is flashed over with a steep-fronted impulse in about a microsecond or less.
steep-gabled adj.
ΚΠ
1915 Blackwood's Mag. Jan. 124/2 A steep-gabled house.
steep-pitched adj.
ΚΠ
1885 E. P. Warren & C. F. M. Cleverly Wanderings ‘Beetle’ 140 We swung under the bridge, and ran in to the steep-pitched landing.
steep-pointed adj.
ΚΠ
1912 ‘G. Thorne’ Great Acceptance (1915) x. 255 Turrets with steep-pointed roofs.
steep-roofed adj.
ΚΠ
1814 W. Scott Waverley I. viii. 108 The house, which seemed to consist of two or three high, narrow, and steep-roofed buildings. View more context for this quotation
steep-scarped adj.
ΚΠ
1878 A. C. Ramsay Physical Geol. & Geogr. Great Brit. xviii. 296 The steep-scarped front..faces to the north-west.
steep-sided adj.
ΚΠ
1856 E. K. Kane Arctic Explor. I. ix. 93 Large gorges..generally steep-sided.
steep-streeted adj.
ΚΠ
1872 M. Collins Two Plunges for Pearl I. vi. 116 The steep-streeted little town of Silveroar.
c. Also steep-down adj., steep-to adj., steep-up adj., steepwise adv. and adj.† steepward adv. Obsolete ? on a steep slope.
ΚΠ
1588 T. Kyd tr. T. Tasso Housholders Philos. f. 19v Whether it lie steepeward downe the hyls, vneasie and painful to be past.
C2. Compounds of the adverb, with present and past participles.
steep-ascending adj.
ΚΠ
1727 J. Thomson Summer 42 The steep-ascending Eagle soars, With upward Pinions.
steep-bending adj.
ΚΠ
1538 T. Elyot Dict. Accliue, stepe bendynge.
steep-cut adj.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > relative position > inclination > [adjective] > inclined from level or sloping > steep (except of hills, etc.)
staira1175
slidingc1325
steepa1400–50
side?a1475
right-up1511
steep-down1530
steepwise1542
headlonga1557
steep-up?a1560
pitch hill1560
pendent1587
high-pitched1596
steeped1596
perpendicular1598
steepy1735
declivitous1799
steepish1814
escarped1853
steep-cut1888
swooping1956
1888 R. Kipling Lett. Marque (1891) xv. 115 Up rough banks..down steep-cut dips.
1901 Harper's Mag. 102 741/2 They found themselves on top of a steep-cut bluff.
steep-descending adj.
ΚΠ
1728 J. Thomson Spring 41 The trembling Steed..steep-descending stems The headlong Torrents foaming down the Hills.
steep-hanging adj.
ΚΠ
1605 J. Sylvester tr. G. de S. Du Bartas Deuine Weekes & Wks. i. vii. 232 Heere, from a craggie Rocks steep-hanging bosse..A siluer Brooke in broken streames doth gush.
steep-rising adj.
ΚΠ
1606 J. Sylvester tr. G. de S. Du Bartas Deuine Weekes & Wks. (new ed.) ii. iii. 77 Can we (like Birds) with still-steepe-rising flight Surmount these Mountaines?
steep-yawning adj.
ΚΠ
1770 J. Armstrong Misc. I. 157 A gulph that swallows vision, with wide mouth Steep-yawning to receive them.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1916; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
steepv.1
/stiːp/, U.S. /stip/ 1. in extended use.1817 P. B. Shelley Laon & Cythna i. li. 26 The wingless boat paused where an ivory stair Its fretwork in the crystal sea did steep.
a. transitive. To soak in water or other liquid; chiefly, to do so for the purpose of softening, altering in properties, cleansing, or the like, or for that of extracting some constituent. Const. in, rarely with.
ΘΠ
the world > matter > liquid > condition of being or making wet > action or process of soaking or steeping > soak or steep [verb (transitive)]
imbibec1386
steepc1400
soaka1425
temper1490
delay1526
imbruea1575
seethe1599
embalm1623
imbute1657
infund1657
elixate1658
puddle1701
sug1706
sop1853
c1400 Mandeville's Trav. (Roxb.) xviii. 84 Þai take alde peper and stepez it and strewez apon it spume of siluer.
c1440 Pallad. on Husb. xii. 545 Elite olyues xl dayes stepe In oil barm.
a1475 Liber Cocorum (Sloane) (1862) 46 Fyrst sethe þy mustuls..In water,..Þer in þou stepe white brede fayre.
1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 734/2 I stepe, I laye in water, or lay a stepe any salte meate to take out the brine, je destrempe. Stepe this salt fysshe.
1539 T. Elyot Castel of Helthe (new ed.) 41 Also wyne..wherin rootes of perseley or fenel be stieped.
1561 J. Hollybush tr. H. Brunschwig Most Excellent Homish Apothecarye f. 34v A slyce of bread styped in colde water.
1565 J. Jewel Def. Apol. Churche Eng. (1611) 463 The Priests..vsed to dip or to stipe the Sacred Body of our Lord vnder forme of Bread in the consecrated Blood and so to giue it to the people.
1577 W. Harrison Descr. Eng. (1877) i. ii. vi. 156 Our Mault is made of the best Barley, which is steeped in a cysterne..vntyll it be thorowlye soked.
1587 R. Greene Morando ii. sig. Iv Hanniball..stieped poyson in a cuppe of drinke.
1594 Good Huswifes Handmaide 43 Take faire bread and Vinigar, & steep the bread with some of the same broth.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Winter's Tale (1623) ii. i. 42 There may be in the Cup A Spider steep'd . View more context for this quotation
1617 F. Moryson Itinerary i. 114 Into the foresaid Lake they cast flax, which will be steeped in that water in 14 houres.
1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Georgics i, in tr. Virgil Wks. 57 Some Steep their Seed, and some in Cauldrons boil. View more context for this quotation
1769 E. Raffald Experienced Eng. House-keeper iii. 59 Steep your Ham all Night in Water.
1800 G. Rose Diaries (1860) I. 284 The distillers steep their malt a fortnight before they can use it.
1815 J. Smith Panorama Sci. & Art II. 823 When he steeped seeds..in a strong solution of liver of sulphur, he never lost a seed by vermin.
1844 G. Dodd Textile Manuf. Great Brit. v. 148 The [flax] plants are then..steeped, a very important operation.
1849 J. H. Balfour Man. Bot. §248 Some have advocated a system of steeping seeds and grains in certain solutions before sowing them.
1890 Hardwicke's Sci.-gossip 26 53 The Hottentots..use the leaves steeped in brandy for all sorts of complaints.
b. absol. To soak barley or malt.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > drink > manufacture of alcoholic drink > malting > [verb (intransitive)] > soak grains
steep1390
1390–1 Earl Derby's Exped. (Camden) 74 Pro ij fattes..pro stepyng yn.
1468 Cov. Leet-bk. 338 Þat noman..fech watir þens to brue nor to stepe with, vp þe peyn of iiij d.
c. To plunge or bathe (one's face, eyes, limbs, etc.) in water. Somewhat rare.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > liquid > condition of being or making wet > action or process of immersing or dipping > immerse or dip [verb (transitive)] > the body, face, etc.
washc1175
steep1579
the world > space > place > placing or fact of being placed in (a) position > insertion or putting in > insert or put in [verb (transitive)] > in a surrounding medium
plungec1380
bathec1386
bay1590
immerse1695
steep1708
1579 E. Spenser Shepheardes Cal. Mar. 116 But see the Welkin thicks apace, And stouping Phebus steepes his face.
1708 N. Blundell Diary (1895) 62 I Steeped my Feet in hot Whey..to make my Cornes come out.
1865 C. Dickens Our Mutual Friend II. iii. xv. 140 I have steeped my eyes in cold water.
1893 R. L. Stevenson Catriona vii. 69 I sat by the lake side..and there steeped my wrists and laved my temples.
d. transferred. Of mist, vapour, smoke, light: To ‘bathe’, envelop like a flood.
ΘΠ
the world > space > relative position > condition of being external > covering > wrapping > wrap [verb (transitive)] > enfold or envelop > in a surrounding medium
belapc1175
take?a1300
wrapa1382
environa1393
enumberc1400
involvea1420
enfoldc1425
bewrapa1430
mantlec1450
envelop1474
enwrap1545
imply1590
circumvolve1607
circumfuse1608
becloaka1618
swathe1624
gird1645
wrap1656
velope1722
steep1798
bathe1816
cloak1818
impall1852
atmosphere1881
kirtle1888
1798 S. T. Coleridge Anc. Marinere vi, in W. Wordsworth & S. T. Coleridge Lyrical Ballads 41 The moonlight steep'd in silentness The steady weathercock.
1817 P. B. Shelley Laon & Cythna i. ii. 2 Long trains of tremulous mist began to..steep The orient sun in shadow.
1860 J. Tyndall Glaciers of Alps i. v. 37 The Glacier..was also steeped for a time in the same purple light.
1887 M. E. Braddon Like & Unlike I. x. 236 Every room was steeped in tobacco.
1890 R. Bridges Shorter Poems i. ii. 1 A river-mist is steeping The trees.
2. figurative.1607 T. Dekker & J. Webster Famous Hist. Thomas Wyat sig. Bv See, on my knees I humbly take my leaue, And steep my wordes with teares.a1616 W. Shakespeare King John (1623) iii. iv. 147 For he that steepes his safetie in true blood, Shall finde but bloodie safety. View more context for this quotation
a. To soak, saturate, thoroughly moisten. Const. in, rarely with (water, blood, dye, etc.); also simply in passive (now dialect), to be wet through.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > liquid > condition of being or making wet > condition of being or making very wet > make very wet [verb (transitive)]
drenchc1000
washc1275
drowna1300
drunkena1300
drunka1382
bewetc1400
bedrenchc1450
bucka1513
sowp1513
drooka1522
sousea1542
soaken1577
overdrown1579
soss1587
embay1590
steep1590
overdrencha1592
embathe1593
indrench1593
imbue1594
douse1606
besob1609
bucket1621
sob1625
dash1670
sop1682
saturate1696
float1729
water1754
sodden1812
douche1864
poach1881
tosh1883
sod1895
1590 E. Spenser Faerie Queene ii. vi. sig. R4 Then she with liquors strong his eies did steepe, That nothing should him hastily awake.
1590 E. Spenser Faerie Queene iii. i. sig. Cc6 Drops of purple blood..Which did her lilly smock with staines of vermeil steep.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Henry VI, Pt. 3 (1623) ii. i. 62 A Napkin, steeped in the harmelesse blood Of sweet young Rutland. View more context for this quotation
1633 A. Johnston Diary (1911) I. 185 Evin so that with tears my naipkin was lyk on steaped in walter [sic].
1717 A. Pope tr. Homer Iliad III. xi. 728 His Coursers steep'd in Sweat, and stain'd with Gore.
1720 A. Pope tr. Homer Iliad V. xvii. 415 A sanguine Torrent steeps the reeking Ground.
1768 L. Sterne Sentimental Journey II. 177 My handkerchief..was steep'd to [sic] much already to be of use.
1812 J. Wilson Isle of Palms i. 303 Oh! must those eyes be steep'd in tears.
1849 W. E. Aytoun Lays Sc. Cavaliers (ed. 2) 20 Never yet was royal banner Steeped in such a costly dye.
1892 F. P. Verney et al. Mem. Verney Family Civil War I. 5 There was probably little or no glass in the house of Henry VII.'s time; linen steeped in oil was the substitute.
1898 Shetld. News 27 Aug. (E.D.D.) My claes wis dat wye steepid 'at da watter ran doon ower my hide.
b. To soak or imbrue (a weapon, etc.) in blood, poison, etc.
ΘΠ
the world > matter > liquid > condition of being or making wet > action or process of soaking or steeping > soak or steep [verb (transitive)] > a weapon, etc., in blood, poison, etc.
steep1594
1594 T. Kyd tr. R. Garnier Cornelia ii. 283 Would Death had steept his dart in Lernas blood.
1594 G. Chapman Σκìα Νυκτòς sig. C No pen can any thing eternall wright, That is not steept in humor of the Night.
1604 W. Shakespeare Hamlet ii. ii. 513 With tongue in venom steept . View more context for this quotation
1817 P. B. Shelley Laon & Cythna vii. i. 156 Time, tho' he wield the darts of death and sleep, And those thrice mortal barbs in his own poison steep.
c. hyperbolically. To ‘soak’ in alcoholic liquor: with reference to constant or excessive drinking; chiefly in passive. Also, to deaden, stupefy (one's memory, senses), to drown (grief, etc.) in liquor.
ΘΠ
the mind > emotion > absence of emotion > make emotionally unfeeling [verb (transitive)] > deaden or dull the emotions > in sleep, liquor, etc.
steepa1592
the world > food and drink > drink > thirst > excess in drinking > [verb (transitive)] > deaden or drown in drink
steepa1592
beliquor1631
a1592 R. Greene Sc. Hist. Iames IV (1598) iv. sig. G3 Our iolly horsekeeper beeing well stept in licor, confessed to me the stealing of my Maisters writings.
1616 B. Jonson Poëtaster (rev. ed.) iii. v, in Wks. I. 309 And liue like them, That..euery eu'en, with neat wine steeped be.
1649 R. Lovelace Lucasta: Epodes, Odes, Sonnets, Songs 97 When thirsty griefe in Wine we steepe.
1746 P. Francis & W. Dunkin tr. Horace Satires ii. i. 10 Swim o'er the Tiber, if you want to sleep, Or the dull Sense in t' other Bottle steep.
1821 W. Scott Kenilworth I. iii. 52 Unless my memory fails me, (for I did steep it somewhat too deeply in the sack-butt).
1839 W. Carleton Fardorougha xiv. 319 ‘He is afeard if he got drunk that he might n't be able to keep his own secret.’ ‘Ah, thin be the holy Nelly, we'll steep him yet.’
1856 R. W. Emerson Eng. Traits iv. 76 A wealthy, juicy, broad-chested creature, steeped in ale and good cheer.
1862 M. E. Braddon Lady Audley's Secret III. i. 23 He was steeped to the very lips in alcohol.
d. figurative (jocular) To ‘wet’, initiate or celebrate by a drink.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > drink > drinking > [verb (transitive)] > drink intoxicating liquor > celebrate or initiate with drink
weta1687
steep1765
to wet the baby's head1881
1765 L. Sterne Life Tristram Shandy VIII. xxviii. 126 Here's a crown, corporal, to begin with, to steep thy commission.
3. In various metaphorical applications.
a. To ‘bathe’ (the heart, head, limbs, etc.) in slumber or rest.
ΘΠ
the world > physical sensation > sleeping and waking > sleep > [verb (transitive)] > other specific conditions or actions
steep1591
snore1600
outsleep1627
1591 E. Spenser Virgil's Gnat in Complaints sig. Iv Sleep; Which..In quiet rest his molten heart did steep.
1635 F. Quarles Emblemes i. vii. 29 Is this a time to steepe Thy braines in wastfull slumbers?
1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Georgics iv, in tr. Virgil Wks. 130 When once in Beds their weary Limbs they steep, No buzzing Sounds disturb thir Golden Sleep. View more context for this quotation
1827 J. Keble Christian Year I. iii. 6 When the soft dews of kindly sleep My wearied eyelids gently steep.
1832 Ld. Tennyson Lotos-eaters: Choric Song ii, in Poems (new ed.) 112 We only toil,..Nor steep our brows in slumber's holy balm.
b. To soak and stupefy or deaden (grief, the senses) in (sleep, etc.).
ΘΠ
the world > physical sensation > physical sensibility > physical insensibility > dullness of sense perception > dull (the senses) [verb (transitive)] > stupefy > in something
steep1600
1600 W. Shakespeare Henry IV, Pt. 2 (2nd issue) iii. i. 8 Ô sleepe!..thou no more wilt weigh my eye-liddes downe, And steep my sences in forgetfulnesse.
1602 J. Marston Antonios Reuenge i. iii. sig. B2v My sense was steep't in horrid dreames.
1790 W. Cowper On Receipt Mother's Picture 19 Fancy..Shall steep me in Elysian reverie.
1822 C. Lamb Detached Thoughts on Bks. in Elia 2nd Ser. She has snatched an hour..to steep her cares, as in some Lethean cup, in spelling out their enchanting contents.
1856 C. Merivale Hist. Romans under Empire V. l. 534 Messalina..steeped the senses of her consort in brutal indulgences.
1882 B. Harte Flip, & Found at Blazing Star 15 He awoke with the aroma of the woods still steeping his senses.
c. To involve deeply in a state or condition; to imbue or permeate thoroughly (with some quality); to make profoundly acquainted (with a subject of study); to absorb in (a pursuit). Const. in. Chiefly in passive; often, to be steeped to the lips.
ΘΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > attention > attracting attention > engage the attention [verb (transitive)] > hold attention, absorb
swallowc1330
deepc1380
dare1547
suspend1561
preoccupy1567
devour1568
to swallow up1581
enwrap1589
invest1601
steep1603
to take up1603
spell1646
possess1653
enchain1658
engross1661
absorb1749
fix1752
rivet1762
fascinate1782
spell-bind1808
arrest1814
mesmerize1862
to turn on1903
get1913
consume1999
the world > existence and causation > existence > intrinsicality or inherence > introduction or bringing in > introduce or bring something in [verb (transitive)] > infuse
sheda1325
bedew1340
distil1393
informa1398
transfusec1425
pourc1451
infudea1500
infuse1526
tan1530
colour1536
suck1549
imbrue1565
dewc1572
inspire1576
steep1603
infect1605
imbreathe1609
impregn1652
transfund1670
influence1691
bleed1866
render1885
taste1904
1603 T. Dekker et al. Patient Grissill sig. A4 All his words and deedes are like his birth, Steept in true honor.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Othello (1622) iv. ii. 52 Had he..Steep'd me in pouerty, to the very lips. View more context for this quotation
1663 S. Patrick Parable of Pilgrim (1687) xxvii. 293 He seldom departed from meditation, but..with..his whole heart steeped in new sweetness.
1837 T. Carlyle French Revol. III. ii. viii. 154 Roland, so long steeped to the lips in disgust and chagrin, sends in his demission.
1842 Ld. Tennyson Two Voices in Poems (new ed.) II. 119 Thou art so steep'd in misery.
1849 W. Irving Oliver Goldsmith (rev. ed.) xiv. 155 Langton..was still the..enthusiastic scholar, steeped to the lips in Greek.
1855 C. Dickens Let. 16 Sept. (1993) VII. 704 I am steeped in my story.
1856 C. Kingsley Plays & Puritans in Misc. (1860) II. 130 But Milton had steeped his whole soul in romance.
1868 W. Morris Earthly Paradise i. 304 Until the Golden Age seemed there to be, So steeped the land was in felicity.
1870 T. H. Huxley Lay Serm. (1874) vi. 117 The whole of modern thought is steeped in science.
1882 M. E. Braddon Mt. Royal I. iii. 95 She has been steeped to the lips in worldliness and vanity.
1908 J. O. Dykes Christian Minister xiii. 142 There is a language of devotion in which the minister does well to steep himself.
4.
a. intransitive. To undergo the process of soaking in liquor.
ΘΠ
the world > matter > liquid > condition of being or making wet > action or process of soaking or steeping > be soaked or steeped [verb (intransitive)]
soakc1000
fleet1297
steepc1412
swimc1450
soga1552
macerate1612
sug1633
sapple1836
marinate1984
c1412 T. Hoccleve De Regimine Principum 1126 Men Yerne and desiren after muk so sore, Þat they good fame han leyd a watir yore, And rekken neuer how longe it þer stipe.
c1440 Pallad. on Husb. ii. 281 A day afore her settyng hem [sc. almonds] to stepe In meth is good.
1598 tr. G. de Rosselli Epulario B ij b Lay it to steepe in a little red wine.
1702 C. Beaumont J. Beaumont's Psyche (new ed.) ii. cvii. 21 He having steeping in a box of Jett A blacker Liquor.
1769 E. Raffald Experienced Eng. House-keeper xv. 302 Put one Ounce of Isinglass to steep in Cyder.
1808 W. Scott Marmion i. xxxi. 52 The midnight draught of sleep, Where wine and spices richly steep, In massive bowl.
1809 J. Parkins Culpepper's Eng. Physician Enlarged 383 Then let them all steep ten days in the aquavitæ.
1913 Daily Graphic 24 Mar. 13/4 Basins of water in which salt cod was steeping so that it might be ready for cooking.
b. transferred and figurative.
Π
1577 J. Grange Golden Aphroditis sig. Eij As one whose browes had Morpheus bound and layde to stiepe ouer head and eares in the snowe of Tygetus.
1600 E. Fairfax tr. T. Tasso Godfrey of Bulloigne xx. cxliii. 392 The campe was wonne, and all in blood doth steepe.
1850 G. Cupples Green Hand vii. 83/1 A huge lake, fringed in by a confused hazy bluish outline steeping in the heat.
1914 Blackwood's Mag. Feb. 231/1 In a loch at Moy the stars were steeping.
Compounds
C1. Chiefly in the names of vessels used in steeping malt, flesh, etc. (cf. steeping n.1 Compounds 1, Compounds 2).† steep fat n. Obsolete fat n.1 2.† steep lead n. Obsolete lead n.1 5a.† steep-stone n. Obsolete Scottish northern
steep cistern n.
Π
1839 A. Ure Dict. Arts 93 [Malting] More barley is successively emptied into the steep cistern.
Π
1483 Cath. Angl. 361/2 A Stepe fatte, ptipsanarium.
1550 in J. W. Clay North Country Wills (1908) I. 210 A stepffat of leyd.
Π
1418 in J. T. Fowler Memorials Church SS. Peter & Wilfrid, Ripon (1888) III. 142 Item j stepelede 24s.
1582 in W. Greenwell Wills & Inventories Registry Durham (1860) II. 88 Item in the kilne a lardge and new steapeleade.
ΚΠ
c1475 Cath. Angl. (Add. MS.) 361/2 A Stepstane or fatt.
1599 Reg. Mag. Sig. Scot. 317/1 Commisit dictis fratribus potestatem horrea, hortos, lie killis, cobillis, steip-stanis, granaria [etc.].
steep tub n.
Π
1627 J. Smith Sea Gram. ix. 37 The steepe Tubs in the chains to shift their Beefe, Porke, or Fish in salt water.
1867 W. H. Smyth & E. Belcher Sailor's Word-bk. Steep-tub, a large tub in which salt provisions are soaked previous to being cooked.
C2.
steep-grass n. = steep-wort n.
ΘΚΠ
the world > plants > particular plants > plants and herbs > aquatic, marsh, and sea-shore plants > [noun] > butterwort
butter-root1597
butterwort1597
Pinguicula1597
Yorkshire sanicle1597
bog violet1713
steep-grass1777
yearning grass1814
steep-wort1886
1777 J. Lightfoot Flora Scotica II. App. 1131 [Pinguicula vulgaris] Steep-grass, Earning-grass. Scotis austral.
1886 J. Britten & R. Holland Dict. Eng. Plant-names Steep-grass, Steep-weed, or Steep-wort, Pinguicula vulgaris, L.
steep-skin n. dialect (see quot. 1887).
ΚΠ
1887 T. Darlington Folk-speech S. Cheshire Bagskin, the stomach of a calf salted, so as to be used as rennet in cheese-making. Also called Steep-skin.
steep-water n. = steep n.1 4.
ΘΠ
society > occupation and work > materials > derived or manufactured material > [noun] > liquids
intinction1559
liquor1583
steep-water1838
sweet-water1885
process water1927
1838 T. Thomson Chem. Org. Bodies 1012 The steep-water gradually acquires a yellow colour.
1876 Encycl. Brit. IV. 267/2 The steep-water should then be changed.
steep-weed n. = steep-wort n.
steep-wort n. Pinguicula vulgaris, so called from its property of curdling milk.
ΘΚΠ
the world > plants > particular plants > plants and herbs > aquatic, marsh, and sea-shore plants > [noun] > butterwort
butter-root1597
butterwort1597
Pinguicula1597
Yorkshire sanicle1597
bog violet1713
steep-grass1777
yearning grass1814
steep-wort1886
1886 J. Britten & R. Holland Dict. Eng. Plant-names Steep-grass, Steep-weed, or Steep-wort, Pinguicula vulgaris, L.
Derivatives
steeped adj.
ΘΠ
the world > matter > liquid > condition of being or making wet > action or process of soaking or steeping > [adjective]
woked1409
confyte1490
infuse1502
soaking1577
steeped1599
yoted?1615
elixed1665
sodden1820
elixated1823
soaked1829
1599 M. Drayton Englands Heroicall Epist. (new ed.) f. 95 v That honey-steeped gall, We oft are sayd to bayte our Loues withall.
1639 T. de Gray Compl. Horseman ii. xxi. 348 Give him one of the steeped Egges.
1648 H. Hexham Groot Woorden-boeck Gerot Vlas, rotten or Steeped Flaxe.
1710 N. Blundell Diary (1895) 83 I Rosted my Steeped Wheat to make Coffy on.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1916; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
steepv.2
/stiːp/, U.S. /stip/ 1. transitive. To place in a sloping position. Now only dialect, to tilt (a cask). Cf. stoop v.1 12.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > relative position > inclination > incline [verb (transitive)] > place in a sloping position
steep1613
slopea1616
the world > space > relative position > inclination > incline [verb (transitive)] > place in a sloping position > tilt > a vessel
hieldc1200
stoopa1670
steep1837
1613 W. Browne Britannia's Pastorals I. i. 20 Then did the God her body forwards steepe, And cast her for a while into a sleepe.
1837 J. F. Palmer Gloss. in M. Palmer Dialogue Devonshire Dial. (at cited word) To Steep, to tilt or give an inclination to a barrel which is nearly run out.
1888 F. T. Elworthy W. Somerset Word-bk. Steep, to stoop; to tilt a cask.
2. To make a slope on the top or side of (a) a hedge; (b) a stack. (See quots.) dialect.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > farming > hedging > make or repair hedge [verb (transitive)] > trim hedge
brush1513
brish1636
steep1741
beclip1785
switch1811
skirt1879
pare1884–5
the world > food and drink > farming > cultivation or tillage > cultivation of plants or crops > storage or preservation of crops > [verb (transitive)] > make into stacks or ricks
mowa1325
rick1623
steep1741
to get up1764
(a)
(b)1854 A. E. Baker Gloss. Northants. Words II. 295 Steep, to top up or make up a rick.1887 W. D. Parish & W. F. Shaw Dict. Kentish Dial. (at cited word) To steep a stack, is to make the sides smooth and even, and to slope it up to the point of the roof.1741 in Hartland (Devon) Gloss. at Steep Shall not cut shrid lop or steep any hedge or hedges.
1837 J. F. Palmer Gloss. in M. Palmer Dialogue Devonshire Dial. (at cited word) To Steep,..to dress or trim a hedge.
1856 J. C. Morton Cycl. Agric. (new ed.) II. (Gloss.) 724/1 Lade, (Devon.), to lade and steep hedges is to lay them down and bank up with earth.
3. intransitive. Of a cliff: To form a steep; to ‘drop’. Also of the sea: To slope.
ΘΚΠ
the world > the earth > land > landscape > high land > cliff > form cliff [verb (intransitive)]
steep1890
the world > the earth > water > flow or flowing > state of sea > have or be in specific kind of motion [verb (intransitive)] > slope
steep1890
1890 W. C. Russell Ocean Trag. I. iii. 46 He might just get a glimpse of green shore with a tremble of water..steeping to it.
1911 Nation 16 Dec. 469/2 A huge hammer of mountains eight thousand feet high and steeping sheer into the sea.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1916; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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n.1c1430
adj.n.2adv.OE
v.11390v.21613