steeplen.1
/ˈstiːp(ə)l/ 1. A tall tower; a building of great altitude in proportion to its length and breadth. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
society > inhabiting and dwelling > inhabited place > a building > types of building generally > [noun] > high building
towerc897
steeplec1000
Babel1554
pile1573
Babel tower1588
castle1642
minar1665
skyscraper1883
scraper1928
prang1929
slab1952
high-rise1962
multi-storey1969
c1000 West Saxon Gospels: Matt. (Corpus Cambr.) xxi. 23 [He] getimbrode anne stypel [L. turrim ædificavit].
c1000 Ælfric Genesis xi. 5 Þæt he gesawe..þone stipel, þe Adames bearn getimbrodon.
10.. Lambeth Ps. lx. 4 Turris fortitudinis, Stepel stræncðe.
c1175 Lamb. Hom. 93 Eontas walden areran ane buruh and anne stepel swa hehne, þet [etc.].
c1290 St. Michael 539 in S. Eng. Leg. 315 Ȝif here were an heiȝ stepel; and a man a-boue sete.
?a1400 Morte Arth. 3040 Stone [s] tepelles fulle styffe in þe strete ligges.
a1660 Aphorismical Discov. in J. T. Gilbert Contemp. Hist. Ireland (1879) I. 60 An ould almost ruyned stiple extant in the ruynes of the said nunry temple.
1847 W. Reeves Eccl. Antiq. 63 (note) The noble Round Tower, commonly called the Steeple [near Antrim].
2. † b. Used by metonymy for church. In nonce-phrases: the sign of the steeple (referring to monastic hospitality); bigamy of steeples, plurality of church livings. Obsolete.† c. to hunt the steeple: see quot. 1785. Obsolete.
a. A lofty tower forming part of a church, temple, or other public edifice (often serving to contain the bells); such a tower together with the spire or other superstructure by which it is surmounted.
ΘΚΠ
society > faith > artefacts > division of building (general) > tower or steeple > [noun]
towerc897
steeple1154
campanile1640
society > inhabiting and dwelling > inhabited place > a building > parts of building > [noun] > superstructure above a roof > steeple
steeple1154
staple1470
steeplet1891
1154 Anglo-Saxon Chron. (C.) ann. 1036 Hine man byrigde..æt þam west-ende þam styple ful gehende.
1297 R. Gloucester's Chron. (Rolls) 10860 In to þe stepel of oseneye þe legat fleu vor fere.
c1325 Lai le Freine 152 A chirche, with stepel fair and heighe.
1387 in J. D. Marwick Charters Edinb. (1871) 35 The grete pyler of the stepyl.
c1440 Promptorium Parvulorum 148/2 Fane of a stepylle, or oþer lyke, cherucus.
1480 Table Prouffytable Lernynge (Caxton) (1964) 38 Lamfroy the couerar of tyles Couerd the steple [Fr. couury le belfroy].
1553 in Surrey Archæol. Coll. (1869) 4 107 Item in the stypell ij belles and a littell bell.
1561 T. Hoby tr. B. Castiglione Courtyer ii. sig. Z.iii A place where was a styple that stoode by himself, alone seuered from the Church.
c1605 Acct.-bk. W. Wray in Antiquary (1896) 32 212 This yeare [1593]..was the great spere of St. Wilfrides steple..sett on fire.
1610 P. Holland tr. W. Camden Brit. i. 505 Thirty steeples with spires or square towres within view at once.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Two Gentlemen of Verona (1623) ii. i. 128 Inuisible, As a nose on a mans face, or a Wethercocke on a steeple . View more context for this quotation
1625 in W. Chambers Charters Burgh Peebles (1872) 414 Gewine to John Frank for schiwting of the tua goineis in the steippell.
1634 T. Herbert Relation Some Yeares Trauaile 155 When they [sc. Persians] heare the Boy cry aloud vpon the Steeple, they fall to prayer.
a1701 H. Maundrell Journey Aleppo to Jerusalem (1703) 120 It is thick set with Mosques, and Steeples, the usual ornaments of the Turkish Citys.
1765 L. Sterne Life Tristram Shandy VII. v. 15 The steeple which has a spire to it, is placed in the middle of the church.
1795 R. Burns Poems & Songs (1968) II. 765 Who will not sing, God save the King, Shall hang as high's the steeple.
1812 E. Turnor MS. Let. An Elevation of the west end of Great Ponton Church, to show the steeple. [Here a square tower.]
1842 J. Gwilt Encycl. Archit. Gloss. 1037 Steeple, a lofty erection attached to a church, chiefly intended to contain its bells. The word..applies to every appendage of this nature, whether tower or spire, or a combination of the two.
1852 W. F. Hook Church Dict. (1871) 725 A steeple is the tower of a Church with all its appendages, as turret, octagon, and spire. It is often incorrectly confounded with the spire.
ΘΚΠ
society > faith > artefacts > sanctuary or holy place > church or place of worship > [noun]
churcheOE
God's houseOE
kirkc1175
temple1399
steeple1555
church building1605
steeple-house1644
shrine1645
Dominical1659
religion shop1811
1555 R. Eden in tr. Peter Martyr of Angleria Decades of Newe Worlde Pref. sig. biijv Sence the signe of the steeple the poore mans Inne was pulled downe in all places.
1641 R. Wild in Roxburghe Ballads (1888) VI. 456 Bigamy of Steeples is no laughing matter.
ΚΠ
1785 Edinb. Advertiser 15 Apr. 236 His Lordship and another gentleman determined to hunt the steeple. This is a common amusement among people of fashion, and consists in the horsemen riding helter skelter towards the first steeple that may catch their eye, and he that is first in is the best man.
3.
a. A spire on the top of the tower or roof of a church or similar edifice. Also, more definitely, spire steeple, broach steeple.
ΘΚΠ
society > faith > artefacts > division of building (general) > tower or steeple > [noun] > spire
shaftc1450
steeple1473
broach1501
spire1596
broach-steeple1600
prang1929
society > inhabiting and dwelling > inhabited place > a building > parts of building > [noun] > superstructure above a roof > spire
steeple1473
spear1480
spire-steeple1559
spire1596
spiracle1842
stump-spire1842
spirelet1848
needle-spire1864
Skylon1950
1473–4 in H. J. F. Swayne Churchwardens' Accts. Sarum (1896) 15 The castyng and laying iiijxx xvc of new and olde Led to the steple.
1548 T. Cooper Bibliotheca Eliotæ (rev. ed.) Pyramis,..a stiple.
1551 W. Turner New Herball sig. N iijv The tre..hath the figure of a steple, that is great beneth, and the hygher vp the smaller it is.
1578 J. Banister Hist. Man vii. f. 93 The figure of this [right] auricle is like a poynted steeple pillour or other buildyng, whose brodest part is the bottome.
1582 S. Batman Vppon Bartholome, De Proprietatibus Rerum iii. xvii. 18 b Out of the eye commeth a small appearaunce, that is shapen as a steeple or a top.
1595 A. Duncan Appendix Etymologiae: Index in Latinae Grammaticae Pyramis, a steiple, or lyk building.
1607 T. Walkington Optick Glasse 41 His head was made like a broch steeple, sharpe.
1610 P. Holland tr. W. Camden Brit. i. 425 A mightie bigge and loftly towre, upon which stood a spire steeple covered with leade.
1766 J. Entick Surv. London in New Hist. London IV. 283 The steeple is a spire.., raised upon a solid..tower.
1782 W. Cowper tr. V. Bourne Jack Daw in W. Cowper Poems 337 Above the steeple shines a plate, That turns and turns, to indicate From what point blows the weather.
1872 M. S. De Vere Americanisms 233 With the Yankee, the meeting-house with its steeple—the word ‘spire’ is hardly ever heard in America—has found its way to every part of the Union.
1896 H. J. F. Swayne Churchwardens' Accts. Sarum p. xxvi There were battlements..at the top of the tower, and above rose the steeple.
b. In wider sense (see quots.).
ΘΚΠ
society > inhabiting and dwelling > inhabited place > a building > parts of building > [noun] > superstructure above a roof
steeple1815
crown imperial1854
1815 T. Rickman in J. Smith Panorama Sci. & Art I. 131 Any building above the roof may be called a steeple.
1823 J. F. Cooper Pioneers I. viii. 118 The ‘steeple’ was a little cupola, reared on the very centre of the roof.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > the arts > visual arts > ornamental art and craft > decoration specifically in relief > [noun] > others
rosea1425
steeple1517
emblema1842
nulling1851
1517 Archaeologia 61 87 A sencer of silver the stepull and the swages gilt.
5. transferred. A steeple-shaped formation of the two hands, with the palms facing and the extended fingers rising to meet at the tips.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > relative position > posture > position of specific body parts > [noun] > arm or hand > specific hands
yepsenc1325
hand-holding1651
clasp1832
butcher's grip1882
steeple1940
1940 Detective Fiction Weekly 26 Oct. 9/1 I..waited for him to begin. He made a steeple of his hands. ‘Now it is a very simple matter.’
1972 T. P. McMahon Issue of Bishop's Blood (1973) iii. 35 He was sighting at me carefully along the top of the steeple made by his manicured fingers.
1978 G. Vidal Kalki ii. 33 When I put out my hand, she made a steeple with her hands, and bowed. This was my first experience with the Hindu pranam, or greeting.
Compounds
C1. Obvious combinations.
a. General attributive.
steeple battlement n.
ΚΠ
1525–6 in H. Littlehales Medieval Rec. London City Church (1905) 332 Paid to a Mason, for a day, to mende þe steple batilment, viij d.
steeple-bell n.
ΚΠ
1837 T. Carlyle French Revol. II. vi. vi. 398 So go the steeple-bells.
steeple-chime n.
ΚΠ
a1821 J. Keats Song of Opposites 11 Funeral and steeple-chime.
steeple-door n.
ΚΠ
1483 in C. Welch Churchwardens' Accts. Allhallows, London Wall (1912) 25 Payed for a lokke and a key to the Stepill dor, iiijd.
steeple-height n.
ΚΠ
1663 Marquis of Worcester Cent. Names & Scantlings Inventions §24 To shoot..an hundred pound weight a Steeple-height.
steeple-spire n.
ΚΠ
1665 C. Cotton Scarronnides 69 And if I ever do forget ye,..Let me be hang'd as high, or higher Then topp of Carthage steeple spire.
1817 S. T. Coleridge Satyrane's Lett. in Biogr. Lit. II. i. 202 A profusion of steeple-spires.
steeple-stairs n.
ΚΠ
1559–60 in T. Wright Churchwardens' Accts. Ludlow (1869) 97 Paid for the makynge clene of the stepulle steyrez, iiij d.
steeple-tower n.
ΚΠ
c1842 W. Wordsworth Eccl. Sonn. iii. xvii Her Spires, her Steeple-towers with glittering vanes.
steeple-vane n.
ΚΠ
1845 H. B. Hirst Poems 71 The roofs, the spires, the steeple-vanes Seemed swimming in the silver mist.
steeple window n.
ΚΠ
1512 in Archaeologia 46 202 Paid for the frethyng of the Stepyll wyndows iiij d.
steeple work n.
ΚΠ
1426 in F. J. Furnivall Fifty Earliest Eng. Wills (1882) 76 Also I bequeth to þe stepul werk of seint Alpheies by Crepulgate, x mark.
b. Objective.
(a)
steeple-climbing n.
steeple-keeper n.
(b)
steeple-loving adj.
ΚΠ
1800 J. Hurdis Favorite Village iii. 111 Homeward returns the steeple-loving daw.
c.
(a) Similative.
steeple-form adj.
ΚΠ
1551 R. Record Pathway to Knowl. i. Defin. C j Or els it is called a rounde spire, or stiple fourme.
steeple-high adj.
ΚΠ
1633 T. Nash Quaternio 35 Being mounted aloft, steeple-high.
1692 R. L'Estrange Fables 192 The Eagle took him up a matter of Steeple-high into the Air, and..dropt him down, Squab upon a Rock.
steeple-like adj.
ΚΠ
1663 B. Gerbier Counsel to Builders 11 And Steeple-like to hang Bells in.
steeple-shaped adj.
ΚΠ
1859 W. S. Coleman Our Woodlands 34 [Form of fir-trees.] Conical or steeple-shaped.
(b) Also in designations of headgear having a ‘steeple-crown’ (see Compounds 2).
steeple-cap n.
ΚΠ
1642 H. More Ψυχωδια Platonica sig. B2 By stealth her steeple-cap she [sc. Night] doth assay To whelm on th' earth.
steeple hat n.
ΚΠ
1629 J. Gaule Distractions 329 His steeple Hat hath harboured many a Thousand.
1841 T. H. White Fragm. Italy & Rhineland 2 The noble countenance of the Spaniard, shadowed by his black steeple hat.
steeple head-dress n.
ΚΠ
1877 Encycl. Brit. VI. 470 Fig. 39 ‘Steeple’ Head-dress.
steeple headgear n.
steeple tire n.
ΚΠ
1606 N. Breton Poste with Packet Madde Lett. (new ed.) II. sig. D3v For your steeple tyre it is like the gaude of a Maid-Marian.
d. Instrumental.
steeple-shadowed adj.
ΚΠ
1896 A. E. Housman Shropshire Lad lxi. 90 And steeple-shadowed slumber The slayers of themselves.
steeple-studded adj.
ΚΠ
1886 A. G. Butler in Harold etc. (1892) 151 The ghost-like city, steeple-studded, Slumbering grey in a mist of green.
C2.
a. Special combinations.† steeple cream n. Confectionery Obsolete a cream (cream n.2 2a) fashioned into a form pointed at the top.† steeple head n. Obsolete the top of a tower or steeple.† steeple hunt n. Obsolete = steeplechase n.† steeple-hunting n. Obsolete = steeplechasing n. at steeplechase v. Derivatives.† steeple-moulded adj. Obsolete (of a hat) steeple-shaped.† steeple-music n. Obsolete = bell-ringing.† steeple running n. Obsolete = steeplechasing n. at steeplechase v. Derivatives.
steeple clock n. (a) a clock fixed to a steeple; (b) U.S. an antique mantel or shelf clock (see quot. 1959).
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > instruments for measuring time > clock > [noun] > other types of clock
watch-clock1592
German clock1598
quarter clocka1631
wheel-clock1671
table clocka1684
month clock1712
astronomical clock1719
musical clock1721
repeater1725
Tompion1727
pulling clock1733
regulator1735
eight-day clock1741
regulator clock1750
French clock1757
repetition clock1765
day clock1766
striker1778
chiming clock1789
cuckoo-clock1789
night clock1823
telltale1827
carriage clock1828
fly-clock1830
steeple clock1830
telltale clock1832
skeleton clock1842
telegraph clock1842
star clock1850
weight-clock1850
prison clock1853
crystal clock1854
pillar scroll top clock1860
sheep's-head clock1872
presentation clock1875
pillar clock1880
stop-clock1881
Waterbury1882
calendar-clock1884
ting-tang clock1884
birdcage clock1886
sheep's head1887
perpetual calendar1892
bracket clock1894
Act of Parliament clock1899
cartel clock1899
banjo-clock1903
master clock1904
lantern clock1913
time clock1919
evolutionary clock1922
lancet clock1922
atomic clock1927
quartz clock1934
clock radio1946
real-time clock1953
organ clock1956
molecular clock1974
travelling clock2014
1830 T. Carlyle Richter Again in Misc. Ess. (1840) II. 372 The down-rolling wheels of the steeple-clock, which was striking eleven, had awakened me.
1923 W. I. Milham Time & Timekeepers xx. 368 There are two kinds of clocks, however, which came into vogue shortly after 1850 and are usually classed among ‘antiques’ and not among the endless varieties of modern clocks. These are the small, spring-driven, brass shelf clock often in a rose-wood veneer case and the steeple clock, sometimes called the ‘Sharp Gothic’.
1959 L. Gross Housewives' Guide to Antiques viii. 114 The steeple clock of the mid-nineteenth century was another popular mantel clock. It takes its name from the steeple-like appearance of its case.
1976 R. B. Parker Promised Land (1977) xvi. 97 There was an old steeple clock with brass works on the mantle.
steeple-clocked adj. having steeple-shaped clocks (clock n.2 2).
ΘΚΠ
the world > textiles and clothing > clothing > types or styles of clothing > clothing for legs > clothing for legs and feet > [adjective]
heeledeOE
laced1441
upper-stocked1535
stocked1598
steeple-clocked1776
footless1853
fashioned1881
digitated1882
seamless1921
stay-up1949
dazzle1958
sandal-foot1959
1776 C. Anstey Election Ball 39 With a Shoe like a Sauce-boat, and Steeple-clock'd Hose.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > food > dishes and prepared food > confections or sweetmeats > [noun] > other confections or sweet dishes
pionade1302
spinee1381
pokerouncea1450
strawberry cream1523
pannag1540
alkermes1547
sugar-bread1587
snow1597
flammick1600
Norfolk fool1623
fool1653
chocolate cream1702
meringue1706
steeple cream1747
trifle1755
snowball1769
sweet bread1777
marrangle1809
meteor1820
mimpins1820
Nesselrode1835
meringué1845
Swiss cream1845
turban1846
coconut cream1847
panforte1865
yokan1875
bombe1892
Eton mess1896
meringue Chantilly1901
streusel1909
rocky road1920
ringocandy1922
stem ginger1922
dulce de leche1923
kissel1924
some-more1925
cream-crowdie1929
Pavlova cake1929
s'more1934
cranachan1946
sugar-on-snow1947
calavera1948
suji halwa1955
vacherin1960
zuppa inglese1961
brûlée1966
pav1966
delice1967
banoffi1974
macaroon1985
Nanaimo1991
macaron1993
1747 H. Glasse Art of Cookery xvi. 143 To make Steeple Cream.
1769 E. Raffald Experienced Eng. House-keeper viii. 208 They are pretty with either Steeple Cream, any Kind of Flummeries, or under a Siliver Web.
steeple-crown n. a crown of a hat rising to a point in the middle; also a hat with a steeple-crown.
ΘΚΠ
the world > textiles and clothing > clothing > types or styles of clothing > headgear > [noun] > hat > tall > other
steeple-crown1684
beefeater1785
Robin Hood hat1855
chef's hat1892
Robin Hood1960
toque1966
the world > textiles and clothing > clothing > types or styles of clothing > headgear > parts of headgear > [noun] > top > types of
cone1604
steeple-crown1684
1684 Roxburghe Ballads (1891) VII. 475 There came up a Lass from a Country Town..In steeple-crown Hat.
1706 E. Ward Hudibras Redivivus I. v. 15 The good old Dames..Were..drest In stiffen-body'd Russet Gowns, And on their Heads old Steeple-Crowns.
1710 Tatler No. 257. ⁋3 The most remarkable Parts of her Dress, were the Beaver with the Steeple Crown, [etc.].
steeple-crowned adj.
ΘΚΠ
the world > textiles and clothing > clothing > types or styles of clothing > headgear > [adjective] > hat > having specific types of crown
copping-tanked1586
high-crowned1598
steeple-moulded1710
steeple-crowned1804
bell-crowned1823
1804 European Mag. & London Rev. June 411/1 Steeple-crowned hats.
1900 S. R. Crockett Love Idylls (1901) 33 An ancient steeple-crowned Puritan hat.
steeple-cup n. (see quot.).
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > drink > containers for drink > drinking vessel > [noun] > other specific shapes
gripe's egg1391
gripe-shell15..
Priapus1613
man with the beard1631
delphin1638
belly-cup1673
spout cup1702
leaf cup1716
image mug1788
rhyton1820
toby1841
Sussex pig1846
bell-cupa1849
biberon1853
moustache cup1863
trembleuse cup1869
steeple-cup1909
thistle cup1947
1909 Cent. Dict. Suppl. Steeple-cup, a silver standing cup having on its cover a pyramidal, steeple-like crest.
steeple engine n. a kind of steam-engine used on river boats (see quot. 1873).
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > travel by water > vessel, ship, or boat > equipment of vessel > propulsion machinery > [noun] > marine engine > types of
steeple engine1839
launch-engine1875
kicker1928
inboard1929
outboard1935
outdrive1961
trolling motor1964
sterndrive1968
thruster1972
putter1975
1839 R. S. Robinson Naut. Steam Engine Explained 177 This engine, common on the Clyde, is called a steeple engine, but it is unfitted for the open sea.
1873 G. E. Webster Steam Eng. & Steam ii. 187 Steeple Engines derive their name from the high erections on deck required by the guide to the connecting-rod which works the crank.
ΘΚΠ
society > inhabiting and dwelling > inhabited place > a building > parts of building > [noun] > superstructure above a roof > steeple > top of
steeple-topc1440
steeple headc1600
c1600 Diurnal of Remarkable Occurrents (1833) 307 The haill artailȝerie in Edinburgh, about the wallis, on the steipill heid of Sanctgeill and Kirk of feild, wer tane to the castell of Edinburgh.
steeple-hoofed adj. having the hoof too upright.
ΘΚΠ
the world > animals > mammals > group Ungulata (hoofed) > [adjective] > of particular type
steeple-hoofed1823
underrun1855
mesaxonic1893
1823 J. Pursglove Pract. Farriery 226 It will give great relief to the animal if his heels are lowered as much as possible, to prevent him from being what is termed steeple-hoofed.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > racing or race > horse racing > [noun] > types of racing > types of race
wild-goose race1594
wild goose chase1597
bell-course1607
Palio1673
stake1696
paddock course1705
handicap1751
by-match1759
pony race1765
give and take plate1769
sweepstake1773
steeplechase1793
mile-heat1802
steeple race1809
welter1820
trotting-race1822
scurry1824
walkover1829
steeple hunt1831
set-to1840
sky race1840
flat race1848
trot1856
grind1857
feeler1858
nursery1860
waiting race1868
horse-trot1882
selling plate1888
flying milea1893
chase1894
flying handicap1894
prep1894
selling race1898
point-to-point1902
seller1922
shoo-in1928
daily double1930
bumper1946
selling chase1965
tiercé1981
1831 W. Youatt Horse iv. 57 The Steeple Hunt is a relic of ancient foolhardiness and cruelty.
steeple hunter n. = ,steeplechaser n.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > racing or race > horse racing > people involved in horse racing > [noun] > rider > types of
feather1760
lightweight1773
welter1804
steeple hunter1830
a bad waster1833
steeplechaser1837
heavyweight1857
stoner1862
roper1870
point-to-pointer1929
jumping jockey1947
jump jockey1970
1830 Examiner 531/1 She bolts at the object of her aim with the ardour of a steeple hunter.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > racing or race > horse racing > [noun] > types of racing
steeple-hunting1772
quarter-racing1779
roading1787
pony racing1809
steeplechasing1816
steeple running1818
steeple racing1840
horse-trotting1857
plating1865
trotting1883
chasing1886
flat-racing1886
harness racing1901
flapping1911
flapper1928
point-to-pointing1952
pointing1976
1772 W. Gilpin Observ. Picturesque Beauty (1786) II. 251 Steeple-hunting.
1851 T. Carlyle Life J. Sterling i. v. 53 I have known few creatures whom it was more wasteful..to set to steeple-hunting instead of running on highways!
steeplejack n. a man who climbs steeples or tall chimneys to repair them.
ΘΚΠ
society > occupation and work > worker > workers according to type of work > manual or industrial worker > builder > [noun] > steeplejack
steeplejack?1881
chimney-jack1907
spider-man1955
?1881 Census Eng. & Wales: Instr. Clerks classifying Occupations & Ages (?1885) 52 Builder..Steeple Jack.
1894 Bye-Gones 14 Feb. 277/1 For some time past steeplejacks have been engaged in repairing the spire.
ΘΚΠ
the world > textiles and clothing > clothing > types or styles of clothing > headgear > [adjective] > hat > having specific types of crown
copping-tanked1586
high-crowned1598
steeple-moulded1710
steeple-crowned1804
bell-crowned1823
1710 Pict. of Malice 8 The good Women of Derbyshire..ought to appear in the Churches with their Steeple-mol'd Hats, and lay aside their Hats of Straw.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > the arts > music > musical sound > sound of instruments > [noun] > sound of bell
knellc961
ringOE
bell-dreamc1175
ringingc1300
clinkingc1386
knellingc1440
ding-dong1611
tang1669
jangling1686
jow17..
steeple-music1732
dinging1767
bell-chimea1822
jowl1822
tintinnabulation1831
ring-a-ding1844
1732 Tricks of Town 33 He had..paid the three Guineas for the Steeple-Musick.
steeple race n. = steeplechase n.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > racing or race > horse racing > [noun] > types of racing > types of race
wild-goose race1594
wild goose chase1597
bell-course1607
Palio1673
stake1696
paddock course1705
handicap1751
by-match1759
pony race1765
give and take plate1769
sweepstake1773
steeplechase1793
mile-heat1802
steeple race1809
welter1820
trotting-race1822
scurry1824
walkover1829
steeple hunt1831
set-to1840
sky race1840
flat race1848
trot1856
grind1857
feeler1858
nursery1860
waiting race1868
horse-trot1882
selling plate1888
flying milea1893
chase1894
flying handicap1894
prep1894
selling race1898
point-to-point1902
seller1922
shoo-in1928
daily double1930
bumper1946
selling chase1965
tiercé1981
1809 Sporting Mag. 33 187 A match..to ride a steeple race.
steeple racing n. = steeplechasing n. at steeplechase v. Derivatives.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > racing or race > horse racing > [noun] > types of racing
steeple-hunting1772
quarter-racing1779
roading1787
pony racing1809
steeplechasing1816
steeple running1818
steeple racing1840
horse-trotting1857
plating1865
trotting1883
chasing1886
flat-racing1886
harness racing1901
flapping1911
flapper1928
point-to-pointing1952
pointing1976
1840 D. P. Blaine Encycl. Rural Sports §1280 The popularity of steeple racing from this time increased.
steeple-roofed adj. having very high roofs.
ΘΚΠ
society > inhabiting and dwelling > inhabited place > district in relation to human occupation > town as opposed to country > town or city > [adjective] > other types of town or city
spiry1744
steepled1837
timbery1859
millionaire1864
steeple-roofedc1870
congested district1883
twinned1957
Motopian1961
c1870 R. Browning Miniature 2 In the bright Touraine, In a high-turreted, steeple-roofed town.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > racing or race > horse racing > [noun] > types of racing
steeple-hunting1772
quarter-racing1779
roading1787
pony racing1809
steeplechasing1816
steeple running1818
steeple racing1840
horse-trotting1857
plating1865
trotting1883
chasing1886
flat-racing1886
harness racing1901
flapping1911
flapper1928
point-to-pointing1952
pointing1976
1818 ‘W. H. Scott’ Brit. Field Sports 299 In Steeple Running and matching their Horses to run Train-Scents.
steeple sugar-loaf n. a sugar-loaf shaped like a steeple.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > food > additive > sweetener > [noun] > sugar > loaf-sugar
loaf1363
sugar-loaf1422
loaf sugarc1440
steeple sugar-loaf1649
bulldog1819
titler1819
1649 Duke of Newcastle Country Captaine i. i. 4 No steeple sugar-loaues to sweeten his Neighbours at Christmas.
steeple-top n. (a) the top of a steeple; (b) the bowhead, or great polar whale ( Balæna mysticetus), so called from the spout-holes terminating in a sort of cone ( Cent. Dict. 1891).
ΘΚΠ
the world > animals > mammals > order Cetacea (whales) > suborder Mystacoceti > [noun] > family Balaenidae (right whale) > genus Balaena (bowhead)
steeple-topc1440
Greenland whale1648
right whale1726
north-caper1731
nordcaper1762
mysticete1797
icebreaker1869
poggy1871
bowhead whale1883
bay whale1947
society > inhabiting and dwelling > inhabited place > a building > parts of building > [noun] > superstructure above a roof > steeple > top of
steeple-topc1440
steeple headc1600
c1440 Alphabet of Tales 497 Þe clerk saw þe preste bodie oft sithis born vp to þe steple topp with strenth of fendis.
1805 R. Southey Madoc i. xv. 162 David would hang thee on thy steeple top.
b. In names of plants.
steeple bells n. (also steeple bell-flower) Campanula pyramidalis.
ΘΚΠ
the world > plants > particular plants > cultivated or valued plants > particular cultivated or ornamental plants > particular flower or plant esteemed for flower > [noun] > bellflowers
bell-flower1578
bluebell1578
Canterbury bells1578
Coventry bells1578
Coventry Marians1578
Coventry rapes1578
fair-in-sight1578
gauntlet1578
haskwort1578
Marian's violet1578
throatwort1578
lady's looking glass1597
mariet1597
Mercury's violet1597
peach-bells1597
steeple bells1597
uvula-wort1597
Venus looking-glass1597
campanula1664
Spanish bell1664
corn-violet1665
rampion1688
Venus' glass1728
harebell1767
heath-bell1805
witch bell1808
slipperwort1813
meadow-bell1827
greygle1844
platycodon1844
lady's thimble1853
kikyo1884
witches' bells1884
balloon flower1901
fairy thimble1914
mountain bell1923
1597 J. Gerard Herball ii. 366 Of Peach bels, and Steeple bels.
1597 J. Gerard Herball ii. 367 Campanula lactescens pyramidalis. Steeple milkie Bell flower.
1611 R. Cotgrave Dict. French & Eng. Tongues Campanette,..the Peach-bell, or Steeple-bell flower.
1812 S. Edwards New Bot. Garden I. 121 The plants of the steeple bell-flower.
steeple-bush n. = hardhack n.
ΘΚΠ
the world > plants > particular plants > trees and shrubs > shrubs > spiraea shrubs > [noun]
spiraea1666
spirey1714
hardhack1814
meadowsweet1814
bridal wreath1856
steeple-bush1859
feather-fern1882
pearl bush1882
1859 W. Darlington & G. Thurber Amer. Weeds & Useful Plants 120 Spirea tomentosa..Hardhack. Steeple Bush.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1916; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
steeplen.2
/ˈstiːp(ə)l/ 1. = staple n.1 2.
ΘΚΠ
society > inhabiting and dwelling > inhabited place > a building > parts of building > window or door > parts of door > [noun] > door fittings > devices for securing door
pinlOE
door-pina1300
door-bar13..
sneck1324
clicket-lock1342
haggaday1353
stecklea1400
slotec1440
rance1574
door-latch1678
door-locka1684
steeple1722
box staple1778
door-chain1836
chain1839
safety chain1845
door-catch1897
night chain1904
1722 W. Hamilton Life of Sir William Wallace 57 Wallace..with a furious shock The Bar and Steeple all in Flinders Broke, Then open drave the Gate.
1825 J. Jamieson Etymol. Dict. Sc. Lang. Suppl. Steepil, the staple or bolt of a hinge.
1867 J. K. Hunter Retrospect Artist's Life (1902) viii. 76 A steeple at the corner.
1894 S. R. Crockett Lilac Sunbonnet 84 A sharp noise as of one clicking in the ‘steeple’ or brace of the front door.
2. Shetland. [Compare Dutch stapel heap.] = pack n.1 10b.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > food > food manufacture and preparation > preparation for table or cooking > preparation of seafood > [noun] > fish set to dry
steeple1822
pack1845
1822 S. Hibbert Descr. Shetland Islands 519 They [fish] are afterwards built into a large stack named a steeple.
1845 in M. H. Perley Rep. Fisheries New Brunswick (1852) 280 After a fortnight's drying, the fish should be put into a pack, or steeple, for the purpose of sweating.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1916; most recently modified version published online June 2019).
steeplev.
/ˈstiːp(ə)l/ 1. transitive. To place (a bell) in a steeple.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > the arts > music > musical instrument > making or fitting instruments > accessories [verb (transitive)] > fit bell
stock1483
steeple1644
yoke1701
tuck1860
1644 S. Kem Messengers Preparation 18 Like a Bell, which whilst it lyeth on the ground, can make no musick; but when steepled, then it sounds loud.
2. To imprison in a steeple.
ΘΚΠ
society > authority > punishment > imprisonment > imprison [verb (transitive)] > in a steeple
steeple1881
1881 G. MacGregor Hist. Glasgow xvii. 149 The keeper was forbidden to allow any of those who had been ‘steepled’ to have other than prison fare.
3. intransitive. To rise or tower like a steeple.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > extension in space > measurable spatial extent > vertical extent > become high(er) [verb (intransitive)] > extend to a great or considerable height
mount1573
tower1582
aspire1591
spire1687
soar1812
uptower1848
steeple1892
1892 [see steepling adj. at Derivatives].
1922 E. Blunden Shepherd 81 The cornel steepling up in white shall know The two friends passing by.
4. transitive. To place (the fingers or hands) together in the shape of a steeple.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > relative position > posture > position of specific body parts > position specific body part [verb (transitive)] > arms or hands > specific hand
clutch1609
span1676
unweave1863
outfinger1880
strain1888
tent1966
steeple1968
1968 A. MacLean Force 10 from Navarone iv. 59 The German captain leaned back in his chair and steepled his fingers.
1975 W. Safire Before Fall vi. vi. 446 Nixon..was relaxed when seated, steepling or folding his hands.
1977 G. Scott Hot Pursuit ii. 18 He steepled his fingers and looked wisely at me across the desk-top.
Derivatives
ˈsteepling adj. rising up like a steeple; also figurative.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > upward movement > [adjective] > rising as high as a steeple
steepling1892
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
1892 Harper's Mag. Feb. 427/1 They have adopted what they call ‘the Chicago method’ in putting up these steepling hives.
1955 Times 28 June 3/2 He struck a steepling blow, but he fell into Kenyon's hands just inside the ropes beneath the Nursery Clock Tower.
1977 Guardian Weekly 17 July 24/2 McCosker hooked at it and sent a steepling catch to Underwood at mid-on.
1982 Daily Tel. 20 Aug. 9/4 The steepling rises in standing charges.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1916; most recently modified version published online March 2019).
<
n.1c1000
n.21722v.1644