Library / English Dictionary

STEEP

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 I. (noun) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

A steep place (as on a hill)

Classified under:

Nouns denoting natural objects (not man-made)

Hypernyms ("steep" is a kind of...):

declension; declination; decline; declivity; descent; downslope; fall (a downward slope or bend)

 II. (adjective) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

Having a sharp inclination

Example:

steep cliffs

Classified under:

Adjectives

Similar:

abrupt; precipitous; sharp (extremely steep)

bluff; bold; sheer (very steep; having a prominent and almost vertical front)

heavy (sharply inclined)

perpendicular (so steep as to be nearly veritcal)

steepish (somewhat steep)

steep-sided (having very steep sides)

Also:

perpendicular; vertical (at right angles to the plane of the horizon or a base line)

Antonym:

gradual ((of a topographical gradient) not steep or abrupt)

Derivation:

steepness (the property possessed by a slope that is very steep)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Of a slope; set at a high angle

Example:

a steep roof sheds snow

Classified under:

Adjectives

Similar:

high ((literal meaning) being at or having a relatively great or specific elevation or upward extension (sometimes used in combinations like 'knee-high'))

Derivation:

steepness (the property possessed by a slope that is very steep)

Sense 3

Meaning:

Greatly exceeding bounds of reason or moderation

Example:

unconscionable spending

Synonyms:

exorbitant; extortionate; outrageous; steep; unconscionable; usurious

Classified under:

Adjectives

Similar:

immoderate (beyond reasonable limits)

 III. (verb) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

Let sit in a liquid to extract a flavor or to cleanse

Example:

steep the fruit in alcohol

Synonyms:

infuse; steep

Classified under:

Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc.

Hypernyms (to "steep" is one way to...):

imbue; soak (fill, soak, or imbue totally)

Verb group:

infuse (undergo the process of infusion)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "steep"):

marinade; marinate (soak in marinade)

decoct (steep in hot water)

infuse (undergo the process of infusion)

draw (steep; pass through a strainer)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s something

Derivation:

steeper (a vessel (usually a pot or vat) used for steeping)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Devote (oneself) fully to

Example:

He immersed himself into his studies

Synonyms:

absorb; engross; engulf; immerse; plunge; soak up; steep

Classified under:

Verbs of thinking, judging, analyzing, doubting

Hypernyms (to "steep" is one way to...):

center; centre; concentrate; focus; pore; rivet (direct one's attention on something)

Verb group:

immerse; plunge (cause to be immersed)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "steep"):

drink; drink in (be fascinated or spell-bound by; pay close attention to)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s somebody
Somebody ----s somebody PP

Credits

 Context examples: 

A flow due to liquid water should readily extend to less steep slopes.

(Recurring Martian Streaks: Flowing Sand, Not Water?, NASA)

Another may be slides due to the accumulating weight of seasonal frost buildup on steep slopes.

(NASA spacecraft observes further evidence of dry ice gullies on Mars, NASA)

Since satellites began monitoring sea ice in 1978, researchers have observed a steep decline in the average extent of Arctic sea ice for every month of the year.

(Arctic Sea Ice Annual Minimum Ties Second Lowest on Record, NASA)

The sides were so steep that none of them could climb down, and for a moment it seemed that their journey must end.

(The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, by L. Frank Baum)

The steep slopes leading down from the smooth rock layers to the rough terrain are consistent with the young age estimates.

(Evidence for Young Lunar Volcanism, NASA)

The location is in a region of Mars with steep slopes at 3.31 degrees south latitude, 302 degrees east longitude.

(Tall boulder rolls down martian hill, lands upright, NASA)

The openings were about eighty feet above the ground, and were led up to by long stone stairs, so narrow and steep that no large animal could mount them.

(The Lost World, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

The last hundred feet to the graves was up a steep slope, and this they took on all fours, like sled-dogs, making legs of their arms and thrusting their hands into the snow.

(Love of Life and Other Stories, by Jack London)

The coracle, left to herself, turning from side to side, threaded, so to speak, her way through these lower parts and avoided the steep slopes and higher, toppling summits of the wave.

(Treasure Island, by Robert Louis Stevenson)

They positioned the laser to illuminate a sample at a steep, oblique angle.

(Smartphone microscope detects nanoparticles and viruses, NIH)