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Steep vs Tall - What's the difference?

steep | tall |

In obsolete terms the difference between steep and tall

is that steep is difficult to access; not easy reached; lofty; elevated; high while tall is bold; brave; courageous; valiant.

As adjectives the difference between steep and tall

is that steep is of a near-vertical gradient; of a slope, surface, curve, etc. that proceeds upward at an angle near vertical while tall is having a vertical extent greater than the average. For example, somebody with a height of over 6 feet would generally be considered to be tall.

As a verb 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.

As a noun steep

is a liquid used in a steeping process.

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

    tall

    English

    Adjective

    (er)
  • (of a person) Having a vertical extent greater than the average. For example, somebody with a height of over 6 feet would generally be considered to be tall.
  • *
    • , title=(The Celebrity), chapter=5 , passage=Then came a maid with hand-bag and shawls, and after her a tall young lady. She stood for a moment holding her skirt above the grimy steps,
  • Having its top a long way up; having a great vertical (and often greater than horizontal) extent; high.
  • (of a story) Hard to believe, such as a tall story or a tall tale.
  • (chiefly, US, of a cup of coffee) A cup of coffee smaller than grande, usually 8 ounces.
  • (obsolete) Obsequious; obedient.
  • (obsolete) Seemly; suitable; fitting, becoming, comely; attractive, handsome.
  • (obsolete) Bold; brave; courageous; valiant.
  • (archaic) Fine; proper; admirable; great; excellent.

    • Antonyms

    * (of a person) short * (of a building) short, low, low-rise

    Derived terms

    * stand tall * tall in the saddle * tall order * tall story * tall tale