Steeple v.

[f. STEEPLE sb.¹]

  1.  trans. To place (a bell) in a steeple.

1644.  S. Kem, Messengers Prepar., 18. Like a Bell, which whilst it lyeth on the ground, can make no musick; but when steepled, then it sounds loud.

  2.  To imprison in a steeple.

1881.  G. MacGregor, Hist. Glasgow, xvii. 149. The keeper was forbidden to allow any of those who had been ‘steepled’ to have other than prison fare.

  3.  intr. To rise or tower like a steeple. Hence Steepling ppl. a. rare.

1892.  J. Ralph, in Harper’s Mag., Feb., 427/1. They have adopted what they call ‘the Chicago method’ in putting up these steepling hives.