steep

comparative steeper · superlative steepest

1. Of a near-vertical gradient; of a slope, surface, curve, etc. that proceeds upward or downward at an angle approaching vertical.

   a steep hill or mountain; a steep roof; a steep ascent; a steep barometric gradient

   3 more examples

   They will be called upon to deal with freight trains of up to 900 tons over gradients considerably steeper than those of the Central Section—for example, the frequent stretches of 1 in 100 between Victoria and the Medway towns—and their running to fast schedules will include the haulage of the "Night Ferry", which may load up to as much as 700 tons, and fully-fitted trains of 30 or more heavy Continental train ferry wagons.

   1959 March, “The 2,500 h.p. electric locomotives for the Kent Coast electrification”, in Trains Illustrated, page 123

   Up these steep walkways cannelured for footpurchase, the free passage of roaches.

   1979, Cormac McCarthy, Suttree, Random House, page 21

   […] Category Two implement hitches and doubled high-traction agricultural tires hung four to each massive rear axle to breast the steepest, softest dune or guckiest swamp […]

   2010, Robert Beeman, No More Time for Sorrow, page 133

   Synonyms: brant, hilly · Antonyms: shallow, gentle, easy

2. informalExpensive.

   Twenty quid for a shave? That's a bit steep.

   Synonyms: costly, pricey, spendy, 5-star, big-ticket, chargeful, cheap at half the price, costful

3. obsoleteDifficult to access; not easy reached; lofty; elevated; high.

   Her ears and thoughts in steep amaze erected

   1596, George Chapman, De Guiana, carmen Epicum

4. or a car's windshieldresulting in a mast or windshield angle that strongly diverges from the perpendicular.

   The steep rake of the windshield enhances the fast lines of the exterior.

plural steeps

1. The steep side of a mountain etc.; a slope or acclivity.

   [L]ess scared, but not built for gazelle cavorting, so awkward on the steep that she had to take to hands and knees, and looked more like a monkey.

   1961, Xavier Herbert, Soldiers' Women, Netley, SA: Fontana Books, published 1978, page 98

   1 more example

   It ended precipitously in a dark and narrow ravine, formed on the other side by an opposite mountain, the lofty steep of which was crested by a city gently rising on a gradual slope

   1833, Benjamin Disraeli, The Wondrous Tale of Alroy

present singular third person steeps · participle present steeping · participle past steeped · past steeped

1. ambitransitiveTo soak or wet thoroughly.

   The tea is steeping.

   3 more examples

   They steep skins in a tanning solution to create leather.

   A Greek historian Phylarchus describes a white root indigenous to India that caused eunuchism when a person bathed in water in which the root was steeped.

   1961, Harry E. Wedeck, Dictionary of Aphrodisiacs, New York: The Citadel Press, page 123

   In refreshing dews to steep / The little, trembling flowers.

   1820, William Wordsworth, Composed at Cora Linn, in sight of Wallace's Tower

   1. ambitransitiveTo make tea (or other beverages) by soaking leaves in water, which flavors the water.
2. figurativelytransitivechiefly passive voiceTo imbue with something; to immerse deeply in.

   a town steeped in history

   2 more examples

   The learned of the nation were steeped in Latin.

   1871, John Earle, The Philology of the English Tongue

   We fought against each other, two brothers steeped in blood / But I never doubted that your heart was broken in the flood / And though we had to shoot you down in golden Béal na mBláth / I always knew that Ireland lost her greatest son of all.

   1989, Black 47, Big Fellah

plural steeps

1. countableuncountableA liquid used in a steeping process

   Corn steep has many industrial uses.

2. countableuncountableA rennet bag.