(stēp) adjective
1. Making a large angle with the plane of the horizon; precipitous.
2. Colloq. Exorbitant; excessive; high, as a price.
—noun A cliff; hill; precipice; a precipitous place. [OE stēap]
—steep′ly adverb
—steep′·ness noun Synonyms (adj.): abrupt, high, precipitous, sharp, sheer. High is used of simple elevation; steep is said only of an incline where the vertical measurement is sufficiently great in proportion to the horizontal to make it difficult of ascent. Steep is relative; an ascent of 100 feet to the mile on a railway is a steep grade; a rise of 500 feet to the mile makes a steep wagon road; a roof is steep when it makes with the horizontal line an angle of more than 45^o. A sharp ascent or descent is one that makes a sudden, decided angle with the plane from which it starts; a sheer ascent or descent is perpendicular, or nearly so; precipitous applies to that which is of the nature of a precipice, and is used especially of a descent; abrupt is as if broken sharply off, and applies to either acclivity or declivity. See HIGH. Antonyms: easy, gentle, gradual, level, low, slight.

(stēp) v.t.
1. To soak in a liquid, as for softening, cleansing, etc.
2. To saturate; imbue thoroughly: steeped in crime.
—v.i.
3. To undergo soaking in a liquid.
—noun
1. The process of steeping, or the state of being steeped.
2. A liquid or bath in which anything is or is to be steeped; especially, a fertilizing liquid for seeds. [ME stepen,? <Scand. Cf. ON steypa pour.]
—steep′er noun