adj. & n.
adj. 1 sloping sharply; almost perpendicular (a steep hill; steep stairs). 2 (of a rise or fall) rapid (a steep drop in share prices). 3 (predic.) colloq. a (of a demand, price, etc.) exorbitant; unreasonable (esp. a bit steep). b (of a story etc.) exaggerated; incredible.
n. a steep slope; a precipice. steepen v.intr. & tr. steepish adj. steeply adv. steepness n.
[ OE steap f. WG, rel. to STOOP(1) ]