steep

adj

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

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

   “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.”

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

   “[…] 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 […]”

2. (informal)Expensive.

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

3. (obsolete)Difficult to access; not easy reached; lofty; elevated; high.

   “Her ears and thoughts in steep amaze erected”

4. resulting 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.”

noun

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

   “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”

   “[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.”

2. (countable, uncountable)A liquid used in a steeping process

   “Corn steep has many industrial uses.”

3. (countable, uncountable)A rennet bag.

verb

1. (transitive)To soak or wet thoroughly.

   “They steep skins in a tanning solution to create leather.”

   “The tea is steeping.”

   “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.”

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

2. (figuratively, intransitive)To imbue with something; to be deeply immersed in.

   “a town steeped in history”

   “The learned of the nation were steeped in Latin.”

   “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.”

3. To make tea (or other beverage) by placing leaves in hot water.