step

step [step]

n.

[ME steppe < OE stepe, akin to Ger stapf < IE base * steb(h)-, post (> STAMP): basic sense “to stamp feet”]

1. the act of moving and placing the foot forward, backward, sideways, up, or down, as in walking, dancing, or climbing

2. the distance covered by such a movement

3. a short distance

4.

a) a manner of stepping; gait

b) any of various paces or strides in marching [the goose step]

c) a sequence of movements in dancing, usually repeated in a set pattern

5. the sound of stepping; tread; footfall

6. a mark or impression made by stepping; footprint

7. a rest for the foot in climbing, as a stair or the rung of a ladder

8. [pl.]

a) a flight of stairs

b) Brit. a stepladder

9. something resembling a stair step; specif.,

a) a bend or angle, as in a supply pipe, for passing around an obstruction

b) a shelf or ledge cut in mining or quarrying

c) a raised frame or platform supporting the butt end of a mast

d) any of a series of angled surfaces on the underside of the hull of a hydroplane or seaplane

10. a degree; rank; level; stage [one step nearer victory]

11. any of a series of acts, processes, etc. [explain the next step]

12. Music

a) a degree of the staff or scale

b) the interval between two consecutive degrees

vi.

stepped, stepping [ME steppen < OE steppan]

1. to move by executing a step or steps

2. to walk, esp. a short distance [step outside]

3. to move with measured steps, as in dancing

4. to move quickly or briskly: often with along

5. to come or enter (into a situation, condition, etc.) [to step into a fortune]

6.

a) to put the foot down (on or in something)

b) to press down with the foot (on something) [to step on the brake]

vt.

1. to take (one or more strides or paces)

2.

a) to set (the foot) down

b) to move across or over on foot

3. to execute the steps of (a dance)

4. to measure by taking steps: usually with off [step off ten paces]

5. to provide with steps; specif.,

a) to cut steps in (a slope, etc.)

b) to arrange in a series of degrees or grades [to step tests]

6. Naut. to set and fix (a mast) in its step

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break step

to stop marching in cadence

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in step

1. conforming to a rhythm or cadence as in marching or dancing; esp., conforming to the cadence of another marcher or other marchers

2. in conformity or agreement

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keep step

to stay in step

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out of step

not in step

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step by step

1. gradually or slowly

2. by marking or noting, or by explaining, each stage in a process

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step down

☆ 1. to resign or abdicate (from an office, position, etc.)

☆ 2. to decrease or reduce, as in rate, by or as by one or more steps, or degrees

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step in

to intervene

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step it

to dance

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step on it

Informal to go faster; hurry; hasten

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step out

1. to leave a room or building for a short time

2. to start to walk briskly, esp. with long strides

☆ 3. Informal to go out for a good time

4. Informal to be unfaithful to: with on

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step up

1. to go or come near; approach

2. to advance or progress

☆ 3. to increase or raise, as in rate, by or as by one or more steps, or degrees

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take steps

to adopt certain means or measures in order to facilitate, hinder, or modify something

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☆ watch one's step

1. to exercise care in walking or stepping

2. Informal to be careful or cautious