摘要：“Steep”源自古英语“stēap”，意为“高的”或“陡峭的”，与古诺斯语“steypr”（陡峭）同源，可能源于印欧语系的“*staip-”（直立、陡立）。这个词最初专指地形的高耸或险峻，到中古英语时期扩展出比喻意义，如“陡增”（急剧变化）。作为动词“浸泡”
steep
英 [stiːp] 美 [stiːp]
adj.险峻的；陡峭的；急剧的、大起大落的 v.浸泡，浸透，湿透；沉浸，笼罩
“Steep”源自古英语“stēap”，意为“高的”或“陡峭的”，与古诺斯语“steypr”（陡峭）同源，可能源于印欧语系的“*staip-”（直立、陡立）。这个词最初专指地形的高耸或险峻，到中古英语时期扩展出比喻意义，如“陡增”（急剧变化）。作为动词“浸泡”的用法则在14世纪出现，可能与“steep”形容液体深度（深而陡）的概念相关，引申为“使浸没”。其语感简洁而有力，兼具视觉与触觉的意象。
◉外刊例句
① 《National Geographic》 (2023年11月5日)
The climbers faced a steep ascent up the icy peak.
登山者们面对着冰峰上陡峭的攀登。
② 《The Economist》 (2024年8月20日)
Consumers are reeling from the steep rise in food prices this year.
消费者们因今年食品价格的急剧上涨而感到震惊。
◉经典名著
① 《呼啸山庄》（Wuthering Heights）——艾米莉·勃朗特 (1847年)
The path wound up the steep moor, shadowed by gnarled trees.
小路蜿蜒而上，穿过陡峭的荒野，被扭曲的树木遮蔽。
② 《霍比特人》（The Hobbit）——J.R.R.托尔金 (1937年)
Bilbo steeped his weary feet in the warm water after the long journey.
比尔博在长途跋涉后将疲惫的双脚浸泡在温水里。
◉Usage Examples
(1) This hill is too steep to ride up on a bicycle.
(2) The last part of the ascent is very steep.
(3) The bus toiled up the steep hill.
(4) It’s priced at fifty pounds, and I think that’s a bit steep for a secondhand lawn mower.
(1) 这山太陡了，骑自行车可上不去。
(2) 最后一段上坡路很陡。
(3) 公共汽车艰难地爬上陡峭的山岗。
(4) 那东西标价50英镑，而我认为对于一部二手货的割草机来说，那个价钱不合理。
◉Usage Notes
Steep means sharply angled. When hiking trails lead straight up mountainsides, they've got a steep incline. Steep also means to soak in, as in steeping a tea bag in boiling water.
You often hear steep used as an adjective to describe cliffs, hills, or even water park slides that have a perilous slope. Steep can apply to curves on a chart––you might say when someone who has a lot to learn that their learning curve is going to be steep. Steep also comes up to describe exorbitant changes in costs or spending. Everyone would love to travel more, but sometimes plane fare is too steep.
◉Colins
1. [ADJ-GRADED 能被表示程度的副词或介词词组修饰的形容词]陡的；陡峭的；陡直的 A steep slope rises at a very sharp angle and is difficult to go up.
San Francisco is built on 40 hills and some are very steep.
旧金山建在 40 座小山丘上，其中一些非常陡峭。
...a narrow, steep-sided valley.
两旁山坡陡峭的狭窄山谷
steeply
The road climbs steeply, with good views of Orvieto through the trees.
路陡直地向上延伸，透过树木可以清楚地看到奥尔维耶托。
...steeply terraced valleys.
陡直的阶梯状山谷
...houses with steeply sloping roofs.
屋顶陡斜的房屋
2. [ADJ-GRADED 能被表示程度的副词或介词词组修饰的形容词](增加或减少)急剧的，大幅度的 A steep increase or decrease in something is a very big increase or decrease.
Consumers are rebelling at steep price increases.
消费者在抗议物价飞涨。
steeply
Unemployment is rising steeply.
失业率正在大幅上升。
3. [ADJ-GRADED 能被表示程度的副词或介词词组修饰的形容词]过高的，昂贵的 If you say that the price of something is steep, you mean that it is expensive. [usu v-link ADJ] [INFORMAL 非正式]
The annual premium can be a little steep, but will be well worth it if your dog is injured.
每年要交的保险费可能有点高，但如果你的狗受了伤就会很值了。
4. [VERB 动词]浸泡(食物) To steep food in a liquid means to put the food in the liquid for some time so that the food gets flavour from the liquid. [V n] [V-ed]
It's a drink made by steeping pineapple rind in water.
这是用菠萝皮泡在水里做的饮料。
...green beans steeped in olive oil.
在橄榄油里浸泡过的青豆
来源：学无用的英语