step

Everyday

1. A step is one movement of your foot when you walk. tree →
2. Steps are the flat parts of stairs that you walk up. tree →
3. A step is one part of a process: the first step of a recipe. tree →
4. To step is to move by lifting your foot and putting it down. tree →
5. «Step by step» means slowly, one part after another. tree →

In the lessons

Maths: a thing counted (steps walked, steps on a staircase); «steps a day» is a rate; in problem solving «step» means one part of the working. Everyday: watch your step, step on it (hurry), a stepladder. Family: stepmother, stepfather, stepbrother (family by a new marriage).

Examples

• Mia walks 2000 steps a day. tree →
• The tower has 120 steps. tree →
• He climbed 15 steps and then 20 more. tree →
• Each step is 2 feet long. tree →
• Solve the problem step by step. tree →
• Watch your step, the floor is wet. tree →
• The baby took her first steps today. tree →
• Step aside to let the people pass. tree →
• He sat lifeless on the steps. tree →

Note

Doubles the p: stepped, stepping. Steps are usually the thing counted; «steps a day» is a rate. In problem solving «step» can mean one part of the working, not a number. Trap: «step» (foot) is not «steep» (sloping sharply).

In Jewish tradition

In the Torah it means a stair or stage. The altar must not have steps, so that no one's nakedness would be uncovered. In the Prophets and Writings it also means a footstep or the way someone walks, and God is said to count all a person's steps.

Interpretation. The ban on steps is read as a lesson in modesty and respect for holy things. In later texts, "steps" also describe stages in a process, as in the counting of numbers. Job's words are read as teaching that God sees every action of a person.

Examples

• Neither shalt thou go up by steps unto Mine altar, that thy nakedness be not uncovered thereon. (Torah EXO.20.26, JPS 1917) tree →
• Nevertheless, this work is expensive, so in order to keep providing this resource, we have taken steps to prevent abuse by commercial parties, including placing technical restrictions on automated querying. (Sefer Yetzirah, Westcott 1893) tree →
• whole number of things, we multiply at each step by a number decreased by a unit " (Mordell, The Origin of Letters and Numerals according to Sefer Yetzirah (1914)) tree →
• I would with one step burn it altogether. (Prophets ISA.27.4, JPS 1917) tree →
• How beautiful are thy steps in sandals, O prince's daughter! (Writings SNG.7.2, JPS 1917) tree →
• Doth not He see my ways, and count all my steps? (Writings JOB.31.4, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Doubles the p: stepped, stepping. Steps are usually the thing counted; «steps a day» is a rate. In problem solving «step» can mean one part of the working, not a number. Trap: «step» (foot) is not «steep» (sloping sharply).