[f. STEEP a. + -NESS.]
1. The quality or condition of being steep.
c. 1440. Promp. Parv., 474/2. Stepnesse, or sydenesse of a roof (P. stopnesse), elevacio.
1530. Palsgr., 276/1. Stepnesse of a hyll, cliuité.
1538. Elyot, Dict., Addit., Abruptum, that whiche hath suche a fall or stepenesse downe, that no man maye passe by it, but onely fall downe.
1615. Chapman, Odyss., VI. 408. Whose Towres you see ascend To such a steepnesse.
1756–7. trans. Keysler’s Trav. (1760), I. 29. In a niche in the mountain of Zurl, which also from its perpendicular steepness is called St. Martin’s wall.
1861. W. Froude, Rolling of Ships (1862), 54. Assuming a smaller degree of steepness in the wave.
1892. K. Pearson, Gram. Sci., vi. § 10. 257. If we examine the time-chart we see that there is a considerable difference in its steepness at different points.
2. concr. A steep part or slope of a hill, etc.
1585. Higins, Junius’ Nomencl., 379/2. Dorsum montis,… the side, hanging or steepenesse of an hill.
1602. Chettle, Hoffman, v. (1631), H 4 b. I did perceiue her … Clambring vpon the steepenes of the rocke.
1887. Hall Caine, Deemster, xl. A hut built against a steepness of rugged land from which stones had sometimes been quarried.
1904. Westm. Gaz., 24 Aug., 2/1. Under the steepnesses ending in that dolomite crag which [etc.].
