steepenv.
/ˈstiːp(ə)n/, U.S. /ˈstipən/ 1. intransitive. To become steep or steeper.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > relative position > inclination > incline or be oblique [verb (intransitive)] > slope > become steeper
steepen1847
the world > the earth > land > landscape > high land > slope > [verb (intransitive)] > become steep
steepen1847
1847 H. Miller First Impressions Eng. ix. 153 As the way steepened..I could detect..some traces of the old path.
1883 R. L. Stevenson Treasure Island vi. xxxi. 262 But by little and little the hill began to steepen.
2. transitive. figurative. To increase, ‘pile on’, ‘heap up’; also with up.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > quantity > increase in quantity, amount, or degree > [verb (transitive)]
echeOE
ekec1200
multiplya1275
morea1300
increase13..
vaunce1303
enlargec1380
augmenta1400
accrease1402
alargea1425
amply?a1425
great?1440
hainc1440
creasec1475
grow1481
amplea1500
to get upa1500
improve1509
ampliatea1513
auge1542
over1546
amplify1549
raise1583
grand1602
swell1602
magnoperate1610
greaten1613
accresce1626
aggrandize1638
majoratea1651
adauge1657
protend1659
reinforce1660
examplify1677
pluralize1750
to drive up1817
to whoop up1856
to jack up1884
upbuild1890
steepen1909
up1934
1909 Ld. Rosebery in Times 11 Sept. 7/5 These death duties..have been constantly steepened up.
1914 Q. Rev. Apr. 458 The financial demands made upon under-writing members have been very much steepened of recent years.
Derivatives
ˈsteepening n. and adj.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > quantity > increase in quantity, amount, or degree > [noun]
waxingc1055
increasingc1340
increasec1374
echinga1382
creasing1398
augmentinga1400
alarginga1425
moringa1425
augmentc1425
incrementc1425
creasec1440
increasement1509
enlarginga1513
enlargement1564
amplification1569
accession1570
usury1576
enhancement1577
growth1587
creasement1592
accrease1598
crescence1602
improvement1607
excrement1608
majoration1626
heightening1629
auction1692
turgescence1806
outgrowth1837
steepening1868
prolating1919
upgrading1920
the world > the earth > land > landscape > high land > slope > [adjective] > steep > becoming
steepening1868
1868 W. E. Gladstone Diary 29 Dec. in J. Morley Life Gladstone (1903) II. v. xvi. 256 I ascend a steepening path with a burden ever gathering weight.
1909 Ld. Rosebery in Times 11 Sept. 7/5 An argument for the steepening of the death duties was that [etc.].
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1916; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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