Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1974 (SND Vol. IX).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
STEEP, n.2, v.2 Sc. usages of Eng. steep, a declivity:
I. n. A slope, a tilting, inclination.Lth. 1822 Farmer's Mag. (Feb.) 87:
She [a plough] never gaed steady but whan she had a good grip o' the yird; and when that was the case, ye behoved to lay a gay steep on the stilts.
II. v. In vbl.n. steeping, the tilting or inclining of a plough (see quot.).Sc. 1844 H. Stephens Bk. Farm I. 400:
To press harder upon the stilts and bring the sock nearer the surface of the ground, and this is called “steeping.”