Middle English Dictionary Entry

steppen v.
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Entry Info

Forms steppen v. Also steppe, step(e(n, stap(pe, stape. Forms: sg.3 steppeth, etc. & stepth; p. stop(e, stoupe, stap(pe, (early SWM) steap, step & stepped, etc. & stepte; pl. (early) stọ̄pen, stepen, (SWM) steop & stepped, stepte; ppl. stāpe(n, stọ̄pe(n, istōpe, (early SWM) istọ̄pen & stept.
Etymology OE stæppan, steppan; p. stōp; pl. stōpon; ppl. stapen.

Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)

1.
(a) To take a step; take (a step); tread on (a place); (b) to set the foot (in a stirrup), step (in, into, or onto sth.); tread (on sb. or sth.); (c) to stand; ~ on stondinge.
Show 19 Quotations
2.
(a) To walk, go, move; also fig. [quot. c1400]; steppe on thi fet, ?come on, ?hurry up; comen ~ , come striding; (b) ~ amis, to go astray; ~ forth, come out of some place, step forward; also, advance to a place or toward a person; ~ in, to move in or advance (with a thrust or stroke) in fencing; (c) to get away.
Show 18 Quotations
3.
(a) To proceed (to sb. or some place); go (near an animal); ~ up; ~ to dinerward, go to dinner; (b) to enter (into a place), get (into bed); get (out of a ship), disembark; stride (over sth.); (c) ~ on erthe, to journey on earth, live; ~ oute of this lif, depart from earthly life; ~ unto, assume or succeed to (a position); (d) to continue (in doing sth.), proceed; ppl. stapen, advanced (in doing sth.); ?also, mired (in sin) [quot. a1425]; stapen in age, advanced in years, aged; also, as noun: old age.
Show 23 Quotations
4.
(a) To mount (a step); ~ further, climb upward; ~ up, ascend; climb up (to a wall on a ladder); of flames: rise; (b) ~ o (up, etc.), to step onto (an island, land, etc.); ~ to, climb (onto a rock); (c) fig. to rise (to a higher level of spiritual living); ~ uveward, be uplifted spiritually; (d) ~ adoun, to descend to a place.
Show 14 Quotations
5.
?To find out (someone's path, etc.) by following a trail; -- used fig.
Show 1 Quotation
6.
In surnames.
Show 3 Quotations

Supplemental Materials (draft)

  • a1484 De Retard.Senect.(Trin-C R.14.52)151/29 : And in that word I shal steppe [L investigabo] the doctryne the whiche techith in tyme to be made to defende from the accidentis of age and of old men
    • Note: Ed.: I shal steppe: L investigabo 'I shall investigate, delve into.' The translator renders the word in terms of its etymology (tracking after something following the vestigia)." Cf., too, at l.46 the doublet 'investigacioun or goyng in', implying that 'investigacioun' needed add. glossing.
    Note: ?New sense (?nonce).

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