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steeve¹

(stēv) Nautical

A spar or derrick with a block at one end, used for stowing cargo.

tr.v. steeved, steev·ing, steeves

To stow or pack (cargo) in the hold of a ship.

[From Middle English steven, to stow, probably from Old Spanish estibar, to steeve, or from Old Catalan stivar, both from Latin stīpāre.]

steeve²

(stēv) Nautical

The angle formed by the bowsprit and the horizon or the keel.

v. steeved, steev·ing, steeves

v.tr.

To incline (a bowsprit) upward at an angle with the horizon or the keel.

v.intr.

To have an upward inclination. Used of a bowsprit.

[Origin unknown.]

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:

Indo-European Roots

Semitic Roots

The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.

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