step

[[t]stɛp[/t]]

n. v. stepped, step•ping

1) a movement made by lifting the foot and setting it down again in a new position, accompanied by a shifting of the body in the direction of the new position, as in walking or dancing

2) such a movement followed by a movement of equal distance of the other foot

3) the space passed over or the distance measured by one such movement of the foot

4) the sound made by the foot in making such a movement

5) a mark or impression made by the foot on the ground; footprint

6) the manner of stepping; gait; stride

7) pace or rhythm in marching:

double-quick step[/ex]

8) a pace or rhythm uniform with that of another or others, or in time with music

9) steps, movements or course in stepping or walking:

to retrace one's steps[/ex]

10) any of a series of successive stages in a process or the attainment of an end:

the five steps to success[/ex]

11) rank, degree, or grade, as on a vertical scale

12) a support for the foot in ascending or descending:

the steps of a ladder[/ex]

13) a very short distance

14) a repeated pattern or unit of movement in a dance formed by a combination of foot and body motions

15) mad mus

a) a degree of the staff or of the scale

b) the interval between two adjacent scale degrees; second

16) naut. navig. a socket, frame, or platform for supporting the lower end of a mast

17) to move in steps

18) to walk, esp. for a few strides or a short distance:

Step over to the counter[/ex]

19) to move with measured steps, as in a dance

20) to go briskly or fast, as a horse

21) to come easily and naturally, as if by a step of the foot:

to step into a fortune[/ex]

22) to put the foot down; tread:

Don't step on the grass[/ex]

23) to press with the foot, as on a lever or spring, in order to operate some mechanism

24) to take (a step, pace, stride, etc.)

25) to go through or perform the steps of (a dance)

26) mad to move or set (the foot) in taking a step

27) to measure (a distance, ground, etc.) by steps (sometimes fol. by off or out)

28) to make or arrange in the manner of a series of steps

29) naut. navig. to fix (a mast) in its step

30) phv step down

a) to lower or decrease by degrees

b) to relinquish one's authority or control; resign

31) phv step in, to become involved; intervene

32) phv step out

a) to leave a place, esp. for a short time

b) to walk or march at a more rapid pace

c) to go out socially

33) phv step up

a) to raise or increase by degrees

b) to be promoted; advance

c) to make progress; improve

•

- break step in (or out of) step keep step step by step step on it or on the gas take steps

Etymology: bef. 900; (v.) OE steppan, c. OHG stepfen; (n.) ME; OE stepe