Step

Step, step, n. a pace: the distance crossed by the foot in walking or running: a small space: degree: one remove in ascending or descending a stair: round of a ladder: footprint: manner of walking: proceeding: action: the support on which the lower end of a mast, or staff, or a wheel rests: (pl.) walk, direction taken in walking: a self-supporting ladder with flat steps.—v.i. to advance or retire by pacing: to walk: to walk slowly or gravely: to walk a short distance: to move mentally.—v.t. to set, as a foot: to fix, as a mast:—pr.p. step′ping; pa.t. and pa.p. stepped.—ns. Step′per, one who steps; Step′ping-stone, a stone for stepping on to raise the feet above the water or mud; Step′stone, a door-step.—Step aside, to walk to a little distance, as from company: to err; Step in, or into, to enter easily or unexpectedly; Step out, to go out a little way: to increase the length of the step and so the speed; Step short, to shorten the length of one's step. [A.S. stæpe—stapan, to go; Dut. stap, Ger. stapfe.]