step
STEP, v.i. Gr., the foot. The sense is to set, as the foot, or move probably to open or part, to stretch or extend.
1. To move the foot; to advance or recede by a movement of the foot or feet; as, to step forward, or to step backward.
2. To go; to walk a little distance; as, to step to one of the neighbors.
3. To walk gravely, slowly or resolutely.
Home the swain retreats, his flock before him stepping to the fold.
To step forth, to move or come forth.
To step aside, to walk to a little distance; to retire from company.
To step in or into,
1. To walk or advance into a place or state; or to advance suddenly in John 5.
2. To enter for a short time. I just stepped into the house for a moment.
3. To obtain possession without trouble; to enter upon suddenly; as, to step into an estate.
To step back, to move mentally; to carry the mind back.
They are stepping almost three thousand years back into the remotest antiquity.
STEP, v.t.
1. To set, as the foot.
2. To fix the foot of a mast in the keel; to erect.
STEP, n. G., to form a step or ledge.
1. A pace; an advance or movement made by one removal of the foot.
2. One remove in ascending or descending; a stair.
The breadth of every single step or stair should be neer less than one foot.
3. The space passed by the foot in walking or running. The step of one foot is generally five feet; it may be more or less.
4. A small space or distance. Let us go to the gardens; it is but a step.
5. The distance between the feet in walking or running.
6. Gradation; degree. We advance improvement step by step, or by steps.
7. Progression; act of advancing.
To derive two or three general principles of motion from phenomena, and afterwards tell us how the properties and actions of all corporeal things follow from those manifest principles, could be a great step in philosophy.
8. Footstep; print or impression of the foot; track.
9. Gait; manner of walking. The approach of a man is often known by his step.
10. Proceeding; measure; action.
The reputation of a man depends of the first steps he makes in the world.
11. The round of a ladder.
12. Steps in the plural, walk; passage.
Conduct my steps to find the fatal tree in this deep forest.
13. Pieces of timber in which the foot of a mast is fixed.
stepped
STEPPED, pp. Set; placed; erected; fixed in the keel, as a mast.
stepping
STEPPING, ppr. Moving, or advancing by a movement of the foot or feet; placing; fixing or erecting, as a mast.
STEPPING, n. The act of walking or running by steps.