I. ˈstēpəl noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English stepel, from Old English stīpel, stȳpel, stēpel tower; akin to Old English stēap steep — more at steep
1.
a. : a tall structure usually composed of a series of diminishing stories finished at the top with a small spire or cupola surmounting the lower straight-sided story of a church tower
b. : the whole of a church tower
2. : something suggesting or having the shape of a steeple
pressed together their fingertips to form steeples — Scott Fitzgerald
II. verb
( steepled ; steepled ; steepling -p(ə)liŋ ; steeples )
intransitive verb
: to rise high in the air like a steeple
looked at the steepling mast and loaded keel — Tom Hopkinson
transitive verb
: to arrange in the form of a steeple or in a form suggestive of a steeple
steepled her fingers in the childish gesture of prayer and happiness — Adria Langley
III. noun
( -s )
Etymology: by alteration
: staple I 1