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What is the difference between steep and abrupt?

steep | abrupt |

In obsolete terms the difference between steep and abrupt

is that steep is difficult to access; not easy reached; lofty; elevated; high while abrupt is broken off.

As adjectives the difference between steep and abrupt

is that steep is of a near-vertical gradient; of a slope, surface, curve, etc. that proceeds upward at an angle near vertical while abrupt is broken away (from restraint).

As verbs the difference between steep and abrupt

is that steep is to soak an item (or to be soaked) in liquid in order to gradually add or remove components to or from the item while abrupt is to tear off or asunder.

As nouns the difference between steep and abrupt

is that steep is a liquid used in a steeping process while abrupt is something which is abrupt; an abyss.

steep

English

Etymology 1

(etyl) . The sense of “sharp slope” is attested circa 1200; the sense “expensive” is attested US 1856.

Adjective

(er)
  • 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
  • (informal) expensive
    • Twenty quid for a shave? That's a bit steep .
  • (obsolete) Difficult to access; not easy reached; lofty; elevated; high.
    • (Chapman)
  • (of the rake of a ship's mast, or a car's windshield) 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. [http://www.utsandiego.com/uniontrib/20070303/news_lz1dd3maynard.html]

    Synonyms

    * brant

    Etymology 2

    From (etyl) stepen, from (etyl) . More at (l).

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • (ambitransitive) To soak an item (or to be soaked) in liquid in order to gradually add or remove components to or from the item
    • They steep skins in a tanning solution to create leather.
    The tea is steeping .
  • * Wordsworth
    • In refreshing dew to steep / The little, trembling flowers.
  • To imbue with something.
  • * Earle
    • The learned of the nation were steeped in Latin.
    a town steeped in history
    Derived terms
    * (l)

    Noun

  • A liquid used in a steeping process
    • Corn steep has many industrial uses.
  • A rennet bag.

    • References

    abrupt

    English

    Adjective

    (en-adj)
  • (obsolete, rare) Broken away (from restraint).
  • Without notice to prepare the mind for the event; sudden; hasty; unceremonious.
    • The party came to an abrupt end when the parents of our host arrived.
  • * (rfdate) (William Shakespeare), Henry VI Part I, II-iii
    • The cause of your abrupt departure.
  • Curt in manner; brusque; rude; uncivil; impolite.
  • Having sudden transitions from one subject or state to another; unconnected; disjointed.
  • * (rfdate) (Ben Jonson)
    • The abrupt style, which hath many breaches.
  • (obsolete) Broken off.
  • Extremely steep or craggy as if broken up; precipitous.
  • * (rfdate) (Thomson)
    • Tumbling through ricks abrupt .
  • (botany) Suddenly terminating, as if cut off; truncate.
    • (Gray)

    Synonyms

    * (precipitous) broken, rough, rugged * (without time to prepare) brusque, sudden * (uncivil)blunt, brusque * (without transition) disconnected, unexpected

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • (archaic) To tear off or asunder.
  • * (rfdate) Sir T. (Browne)
    • Till death abrupts them.
  • To interrupt suddenly.

    • Noun

    (en noun)
  • (poetic) Something which is ; an abyss.
  • * (rfdate) (Milton)
    • Over the vast abrupt .

    References

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