[step] n [ME, fr. OE staepe; akin to OHG stapfo step, stampfon to stamp] (bef. 12c) 1: a rest for the foot in ascending or descending: as a: one of a series of structures consisting of a riser and a tread b: a ladder rung
2. a (1): an advance or movement made by raising the foot and bringing it down elsewhere (2): a combination of foot or foot and body movements constituting a unit or a repeated pattern "a dance ~" (3): manner of walking: stride b: footprint 1 c: the sound of a footstep "heard ~s in the hall" 3 a: the space passed over in one step b: a short distance "just a ~ away from the bank" c: the height of one stair
4. pl: course, way "directed his ~s toward the river"
5. a: a degree, grade, or rank in a scale b: a stage in a process "was guided through every ~ of my career"
6: a frame on a ship designed to receive an upright shaft; esp: a block supporting the heel of a mast 7: an action, proceeding, or measure often occurring as one in a series "taking ~s to improve the situation" 8: a steplike offset or part usu. occurring in a series 9: an interval in a musical scale -- step.like adj -- stepped adj -- in step 1: with each foot moving to the same time as the corresponding foot of others or in time to music
2: in harmony or agreement -- out of step : not in step "out of step with the times"
[2]step vb stepped ; step.ping vi (bef. 12c) 1 a: to move by raising the foot and bringing it down elsewhere or by moving each foot in succession b: dance
2. a: to go on foot: walk b obs: advance, proceed c: to be on one's way: leave--often used with along d: to move briskly "kept us stepping"
3: to press down with the foot "~ on the brake"
4: to come as if at a single step "stepped into a good job" ~ vt 1: to take by moving the feet in succession "~ three paces"
2. a: to move (the foot) in any direction: set "the first man to ~ foot on the moon" b: to traverse on foot
3: to go through the steps of: perform "~ a minuet"
4: to make erect by fixing the lower end in a step "~ the mast"
5: to measure by steps "~ off 50 yards"
6. a: to provide with steps b: to make steps in "~ a key" 7: to construct or arrange in or as if in steps "craggy peaks with terraces stepped up the sides --Time" -- step on it : to increase one's speed: hurry up