Step, v. i. [AS. stæppan; akin to OFries. steppa, D. stappen to step, stap a step, OHG. stepfen to step, G. stapfe a footstep, OHG. stapfo, G. stufe a step to step on; cf. Gr. to shake about, handle roughly, stamp (?). Cf. Stamp, n. & a.].

To move the foot in walking; to advance or recede by raising and moving one of the feet to another resting place, or by moving both feet in succession. [1913 Webster]
To walk; to go on foot; esp., to walk a little distance; as, to step to one of the neighbors. [1913 Webster]
To walk slowly, gravely, or resolutely. [1913 Webster]
"Home the swain retreats,
His flock before him stepping to the fold." [1913 Webster]
Fig.: To move mentally; to go in imagination. [1913 Webster]
"They are stepping almost three thousand years back into the remotest antiquity." [1913 Webster]

"Whosoever then first, after the troubling of the water, stepped in, was made whole of whatsoever disease he had." [1913 Webster]

Step, v. t.

To set, as the foot. [1913 Webster]
To fix the foot of (a mast) in its step; to erect. [1913 Webster]

To step off, to measure by steps, or paces; hence, to divide, as a space, or to form a series of marks, by successive measurements, as with dividers.

Step, n. [AS. stæpe. See Step, v. i.].

An advance or movement made by one removal of the foot; a pace. [1913 Webster]
A rest, or one of a set of rests, for the foot in ascending or descending, as a stair, or a round of a ladder. [1913 Webster]
"The breadth of every single step or stair should be never less than one foot." [1913 Webster]
The space passed over by one movement of the foot in walking or running; as, one step is generally about three feet, but may be more or less. Used also figuratively of any kind of progress; as, he improved step by step, or by steps. [1913 Webster]
"To derive two or three general principles of motion from phenomena, and afterwards to tell us how the properties and actions of all corporeal things follow from those manifest principles, would be a very great step in philosophy." [1913 Webster]
A small space or distance; as, it is but a step. [1913 Webster]
A print of the foot; a footstep; a footprint; track. [1913 Webster]
Gait; manner of walking; as, the approach of a man is often known by his step. [1913 Webster]
Proceeding; measure; action; an act. [1913 Webster]
"The reputation of a man depends on the first steps he makes in the world." [1913 Webster]

"Beware of desperate steps. The darkest day,
Live till to-morrow, will have passed away." [1913 Webster]

"I have lately taken steps . . . to relieve the old gentleman's distresses." [1913 Webster]
Walk; passage. [1913 Webster]
"Conduct my steps to find the fatal tree." [1913 Webster]
A portable framework of stairs, much used indoors in reaching to a high position. [1913 Webster]
In general, a framing in wood or iron which is intended to receive an upright shaft; specif., a block of wood, or a solid platform upon the keelson, supporting the heel of the mast. [1913 Webster]
One of a series of offsets, or parts, resembling the steps of stairs, as one of the series of parts of a cone pulley on which the belt runs. [1913 Webster]
The intervak between two contiguous degrees of the csale. [1913 Webster]
" The word tone is often used as the name of this interval; but there is evident incongruity in using tone for indicating the interval between tones. As the word scale is derived from the Italian scala, a ladder, the intervals may well be called steps." [1913 Webster]
A change of position effected by a motion of translation. W. K. Clifford. [1913 Webster]
At Eton College, England, a shallow step dividing the court into an inner and an outer portion. [Webster 1913 Suppl.]

Back step, Half step, etc. See under Back, Half, etc. -- Step grate, a form of grate for holding fuel, in which the bars rise above one another in the manner of steps. -- To take steps, to take action; to move in a matter.

top

OXFORD DICTIONARY

Step, n. & v.
--n.
1 a the complete movement of one leg in walking or running (took a step forward). b the distance covered by this.
2 a unit of movement in dancing.
3 a measure taken, esp. one of several in a course of action (took steps to prevent it; considered it a wise step).
4 a a surface on which a foot is placed on ascending or descending a stair or tread. b a block of stone or other platform before a door, altar, etc. c the rung of a ladder. d a notch cut for a foot in ice-climbing. e a platform etc. in a vehicle provided for stepping up or down.
5 a short distance (only a step from my door).
6 the sound or mark made by a foot in walking etc. (heard a step on the stairs).
7 the manner of walking etc. as seen or heard (know her by her step).
8 a a degree in the scale of promotion, advancement, or precedence. b one of a series of fixed points on a payscale etc.
9 a stepping (or not stepping) in time with others or music (esp. in or out of step). b the state of conforming to what others are doing (refuses to keep step with the team).
10 (in pl.) (also pair of steps sing.) = STEPLADDER.
11 esp. US Mus. a melodic interval of one degree of the scale, i.e. a tone or semitone.
12 Naut. a block, socket, or platform supporting a mast.
--v. (stepped, stepping)
1 intr. lift and set down one's foot or alternate feet in walking.
2 intr. come or go in a specified direction by stepping.
3 intr. make progress in a specified way (stepped into a new job).
4 tr. (foll. by off, out) measure (distance) by stepping.
5 tr. perform (a dance).
6 tr. Naut. set up (a mast) in a step.

Idiom

in a person's steps following a person's example. mind (or watch) one's step be careful. step by step gradually; cautiously; by stages or degrees. step-cut (of a gem) cut in straight facets round the centre. step down
1 resign from a position etc.
2 Electr. decrease (voltage) by using a transformer. step in 1 enter a room, house, etc.
2 a intervene to help or hinder. b act as a substitute for an indisposed colleague etc. step-in attrib.adj. (of a garment) put on by being stepped into without unfastening.
--n. such a garment. step it dance. step on it (or on the gas etc.) colloq.
1 accelerate a motor vehicle.
2 hurry up.
step out
1 leave a room, house, etc.
2 be active socially.
3 take large steps.
stepping-stone
1 a raised stone, usu. one of a set in a stream, muddy place, etc., to help in crossing.
2 a means or stage of progress to an end. step this way a deferential formula meaning 'follow me'. step up 1 increase, intensify (must step up production).
2 Electr. increase (voltage) using a transformer. turn one's steps go in a specified direction.

Derivative

steplike adj. stepped adj. stepwise adv. & adj.

Etymology

OE st{aelig}pe, stepe (n.), st{aelig}ppan, steppan (v.), f. Gmc

top

THESAURUS

Step

abdicate, accelerate, accomplished fact, accomplishment, according to, ace, achievement, act, acta, action, activity, ad hoc measure, adventure, amble, ambulate, amount, ankle, answer, appraise, appreciate, approach, appropriate to, arabesque, artifice, assay, assess, attempt, band, be alert, be careful, be cautious, bed, bedding, belt, bestride, bid, bit, blow, boost, boss, bound, bow out, bowshot, brief span, bump, bypass, calculate, caliber, calibrate, caliper, canter, career, chasse, check a parameter, circumambulate, clip, clop, close quarters, close range, colophon, compass, compute, concavity, consecutive intervals, consistent with, contrivance, conventional, convexity, couche, countermove, coup, coupe, course, course of action, crack, cross, cut, dactylogram, dactylograph, dealings, deck, decrease, deed, degree, demarche, dent, device, dial, diapason, diatessaron, diatonic interval, diatonic semitone, diminish, dint, direction, divide, do something, dodge, doing, doings, doorstep, drag, droop, earreach, earshot, eccentric, effort, embossment, endeavor, enharmonic diesis, enharmonic interval, enterprise, escalate, essay, estimate, evaluate, excrescence, exercise care, expedient, experiment, exploit, extent, fait accompli, fathom, feat, fifth, fingerprint, fling, floor, flounce, foot, foot it, footfall, footmark, footprint, footrest, footstep, ford, fossil footprint, fourth, fox-trot, gait, gallery, gallop, gambade, gambado, gambit, gauge, gest, get, get ahead of, gimmick, git, go, go across, go by, go out, gradation, grade, gradually, graduate, grapevine, gunshot, hair, hair space, hairbreadth, hairsbreadth, half step, halftone, hand, handiwork, hasten, height, hightail, hippety-hop, hitch, hobble, hoof, hoof it, hoofbeat, hop, hop along, hotfoot, hurry up, ichnite, ichnolite, impress, impression, imprint, improve, improvisation, in keeping with, in step with, inch, increase, indent, indentation, indention, initiative, intensify, intercede, interfere, interval, intervene, jaywalk, job, jog, jog on, journey, journeying, jump, jury-rig, jury-rigged expedient, kinky, last expedient, last resort, last shift, layer, leap, leave, ledge, leg, leg it, less semitone, level, lick, limp, little, little ways, lock step, look, lope, lump, lurch, make haste, make tracks, makeshift, maneuver, mark, means, measure, measures, melodic interval, mensurate, mete, meter, mince, mincing steps, motion, move, movement, notch, note, nuance, octave, offbeat, offer, operation, overlayer, overstory, overstride, overt act, pace, pad, paddle, parallel octaves, pas, pass, pass by, pass over, passage, path, paw print, pawmark, pedestrianize, peg, perambulate, performance, period, peripateticate, piaffer, pimple, pis aller, pistol shot, pitch, plane, plateau, plumb, point, prance, print, prize, probe, procedure, proceed, proceeding, process, production, progress, progression, proportion, pug, pugmark, quantify, quantize, quickstep, quit, rack, raise, range, rate, ratio, reach, reduce, remove, res gestae, resign, resort, resource, rest, retire, riser, roll, round, route, routine, run, rundle, rung, saunter, scale, scope, scuttle, seal, seam, secede, second, semitone, seventh, shade, shadow, shake-up, shamble, shelf, shift, shoot ahead of, short distance, short piece, short way, shot, shuffle, shuffle along, sidle, sigil, signet, single-foot, sixth, size, size up, skip, slink, slither, slouch, slowly, slowness, socialize, solution, sound, space, span, speed up, spitting distance, spoke, spoor, spring, sprint, stab, stage, stagger, stair, staircase, stairs, stairway, stalk, stamp, standard, stave, steadily, step along, step by step, step down, step in, step lively, step on it, step out, step stool, step up, stepladder, stepping-stone, steps, stint, stoop, stopgap, story, straddle, stratagem, stratum, stride, string, stroke, stroke of policy, stroll, strolling gait, strong bid, strut, stud, stump it, stunt, substratum, superstratum, survey, swagger, swing, tactic, take a reading, take care, take heed, take steps, temporary expedient, tentative, thickness, thing, thing done, third, thumbmark, thumbprint, tier, toddle, tone, topsoil, totter, tour de force, trace, track, tract, traditional, traipse, transaction, travel, travels, tread, trial, trial and error, triangulate, trick, trip, troop, trot, trump, try, turn, unconventional, underlayer, understory, understratum, undertaking, unison interval, up, valuate, value, velocity, vestige, waddle, walk, way, weigh, whack, whole step, withdraw, work, working hypothesis, working proposition, works, zone

top

ROGET THESAURUS

Step

Plan

N plan, scheme, design, project, proposal, proposition, suggestion, resolution, motion, precaution, deep- laid plan, system, organization, germ, sketch, skeleton, outline, draught, draft, ebauche, brouillon, rough cast, rough draft, draught copy, copy, proof, revise, drawing, scheme, schematic, graphic, chart, flow chart (representation), forecast, program, programme, prospectus, carte du pays, card, bill, protocol, order of the day, list of agenda, bill of fare, base of operations, platform, plank, slate, ticket, role, policy, contrivance, invention, expedient, receipt, nostrum, artifice, device, pipelaying, stratagem, trick, alternative, loophole, shift, last shift, measure, step, stroke, stroke of policy, master stroke, trump card, court card, cheval de bataille, great gun, coup, coup d'etat, clever stroke, bold stroke, good move, good hit, good stroke, bright thought, bright idea, intrigue, cabal, plot, conspiracy, complot, machination, subplot, underplot, counterplot, schemer, schemist, schematist, strategist, machinator, projector, artist, promoter, designer, conspirator, intrigant, planned, strategic, strategical, planning, prepared, in course of preparation, under consideration, on the tapis, on the carpet, on the floor.

Action

N action, performance, doing perpetration, exercise, excitation, movement, operation, evolution, work, labor, praxis, execution, procedure, handicraft, business, agency, deed, act, overt act, stitch, touch, gest transaction, job, doings, dealings, proceeding, measure, step, maneuver, bout, passage, move, stroke, blow, coup, coup de main, coup d'etat, tour de force, feat, exploit, achievement, handiwork, workmanship, manufacture, stroke of policy, actor, doing, acting, in action, in harness, on duty, in operation, in the act, in the midst of, in the thick of, red-handed, in flagrante delicto, while one's hand is in, action is eloquence, actions speak louder than words, actum aiunt ne agas, awake, arise, or be forever fall'n, dii pia facta vident, faire sans dire, fare fac, fronte capillata post est occasio calva, our deeds are sometimes better than our thoughts, the great end of life is not knowledge but action, thought is the soul of act, vivre-ce nest pas respirer c'est agir, we live in deeds not years.

Term

N term, rank, station, stage, step, degree, scale, remove, grade, link, peg, round of the ladder, status, position, place, point, mark, pas, period, pitch, stand, standing, footing, range.

Support

N support, ground, foundation, base, basis, terra firma, bearing, fulcrum, bait, caudex crib, point d'appui, pou sto, purchase footing, hold, locus standi, landing place, landing stage, stage, platform, block, rest, resting place, groundwork, substratum, riprap, sustentation, subvention, floor, supporter, aid, prop, stand, anvil, fulciment, cue rest, jigger, monkey, stay, shore, skid, rib, truss, bandage, sleeper, stirrup, stilts, shoe, sole, heel, splint, lap, bar, rod, boom, sprit, outrigger, ratlings, staff, stick, crutch, alpenstock, baton, staddle, bourdon, cowlstaff, lathi, mahlstick, post, pillar, shaft, thill, column, pilaster, pediment, pedicle, pedestal, plinth, shank, leg, socle, zocle, buttress, jamb, mullion, abutment, baluster, banister, stanchion, balustrade, headstone, upright, door post, jamb, door jamb, frame, framework, scaffold, skeleton, beam, rafter, girder, lintel, joist, travis, trave, corner stone, summer, transom, rung, round, step, sill, angle rafter, hip rafter, cantilever, modillion, crown post, king post, vertebra, columella, backbone, keystone, axle, axletree, axis, arch, mainstay, trunnion, pivot, rowlock, peg, tiebeam, thole pin, board, ledge, shelf, hob, bracket, trevet, trivet, arbor, rack, mantel, mantle piece, mantleshelf, slab, console, counter, dresser, flange, corbel, table, trestle, shoulder, perch, horse, easel, desk, clotheshorse, hatrack, retable, teapoy, seat, throne, dais, divan, musnud, chair, bench, form, stool, sofa, settee, stall, arm chair, easy chair, elbow chair, rocking chair, couch, fauteuil, woolsack, ottoman, settle, squab, bench, aparejo, faldstool, horn, long chair, long sleeve chair, morris chair, lamba chauki, lamba kursi, saddle, pannel, pillion, side saddle, pack saddle, pommel, bed, berth, pallet, tester, crib, cot, hammock, shakedown, trucklebed, cradle, litter, stretcher, bedstead, four poster, French bed, bunk, kip, palang, bedding, bichhona, mattress, paillasse, pillow, bolster, mat, rug, cushion, footstool, hassock, tabouret, tripod, monopod, Atlas, Persides, Atlantes, Caryatides, Hercules, supporting, supported, fundamental, dorsigerous, astride on, straddle.

Motion

N motion, movement, move, going, unrest, stream, flow, flux, run, course, stir, evolution, kinematics, telekinesis, step, rate, pace, tread, stride, gait, port, footfall, cadence, carriage, velocity, angular velocity, clip, progress, locomotion, journey, voyage, transit, restlessness, mobility, movableness, motive power, laws of motion, mobilization, moving, in motion, transitional, motory, motive, shifting, movable, mobile, mercurial, unquiet, restless, nomadic, erratic, under way, on the move, on the wing, on the tramp, on the march, eppur si muove, es bildet ein Talent sich in der Stille, sich ein Charakter in dem Strom der Welt.

Journey

VB travel, journey, course, take a journey, go a journey, take a walk, go out for walk, have a run, take the air, flit, take wing, migrate, emigrate, trek, rove, prowl, roam, range, patrol, pace up and down, traverse, scour the country, traverse the country, peragrate, circumambulate, perambulate, nomadize, wander, ramble, stroll, saunter, hover, go one's rounds, straggle, gad, gad about, expatiate, walk, march, step, tread, pace, plod, wend, go by shank's mare, promenade, trudge, tramp, stalk, stride, straddle, strut, foot it, hoof it, stump, bundle, bowl along, toddle, paddle, tread a path, take horse, ride, drive, trot, amble, canter, prance, fisk, frisk, caracoler, caracole, gallop, embark, board, set out, hit the road, get going, get underway, peg on, jog on, wag on, shuffle on, stir one's stumps, bend one's steps, bend one's course, make one's way, find one's way, wend one's way, pick one's way, pick one's way, thread one's way, plow one's way, slide, glide, coast, skim, skate, march in procession, file on, defile, go to, repair to, resort to, hie to, betake oneself to.

For further exploring for "Step" in Webster Dictionary Online