Steep
/stiːp/noun
Having a sharp incline or rising abruptly; also, saturated or soaked in liquid.
Did you know?The word’s older Germanic relatives show it was originally about being lofty, towering, or sharply rising, not just about a hill you struggle up.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*stebʰ-
“to be stiff, firm, or support oneself”
Proto-Germanic
PGmc
*staupaz / *staupijaną
“steep, lofty, or rigid; to make steep”
Old English
OE
stēap
“steep, lofty, high, proud”
Middle English
ME
stepe
“having a sharp slope; also, soaked or drenched”
Modern English
English
steep
“having a sharp incline; also, saturated or soaked in liquid”