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Deep and precipitous, having steep descent. [R.] Wash me in steep-down gulfs of liquid fire. Shak.

Lofty and precipitous. [R.] Her stand she takes upon a steep-up hill. Shak.

To become steep or steeper. As the way steepened . . . I could detect in the hollow of the hill some traces of the old path. H. Miller.

A vessel, vat, or cistern, in which things are steeped.

Steepness. Howell.

Somewhat steep. Carlyle.

r; the whole of a structure if the roof is of spire form. See Spire. "A weathercock on a steeple." Shak. Rood steeple. See Rood tower, under Rood. -- Steeple bush (Bot.), a low shrub (Spiræa tomentosa) having dense panicles of minute rose-colored flowers; hardhack. -- Steeple chase, a race across country between a nu…

Bearing a steeple; as, a steeple-crowned building.

The act of riding steeple chases.

Furnished with, or having the form of, a steeple; adorned with steeples. Fairfax.

In a steep manner; with steepness; with precipitous declivity.

Quality or state of being steep; precipitous declivity; as, the steepnessof a hill or a roof.

Steep; precipitous. [Poetic] No more, my goats, shall I belong you climb The steepy cliffs, or crop the flow'ry thyme. Dryden.

; -- applied especially to a vessel in the water. That with a staff his feeble steps did steer. Spenser.

Capable of being steered; dirigible.

The act or practice of steering, or directing; as, the steerage of a ship. He left the city, and, in a most tempestuous season, forsook the helm and steerage of the common wealth. Milton.

A rate of motion through the water sufficient to render a vessel governable by the helm.

One who steers; as, a boat steerer.

from Steer, v. Steering wheel (Naut.), the wheel by means of which the rudder of a vessel is turned and the vessel is steered.

Having no rudder. [Obs.] Chaucer.