What is the Latin word for steep?

The usual Latin words for “steep” are praerumpō, dēruptus, praeceps; also arduus, madefaciō. The right choice depends on the sense; see the distinctions below.

English → Latin

“steep” in Latin

praerumpōto break off; to tear to pieces dēruptusbroken, precipitous, steep praecepshead first, headlong; steep, precipitous; hasty, rash, precipitate arduuslofty, high, steep, tall, elevated; hard to reach, difficult, laborious, arduous madefaciōto wet, moisten, dampen; to soak, steep; to intoxicate

Riddle & Arnold A Copious and Critical English–Latin Lexicon, 1864

steep adj.

praeruptus: deruptus (shelving): praeceps (precipitous): arduus (almost perpendicular; hence, difficult of ascent). (The words are found in this connection and order.) arduus et deruptus. A steep place, locus praeceps: steep places, praerupta or derupta, -orum, neuter; praecipitia, -ium (Suet.): to have a steep approach, arduo esse ascensu.

steep v.

mergere in aquam (Cic.): intingere in aqua (Vitr.): madefacere (to moisten, soak).

Quick answer

What is the Latin word for steep?: The usual Latin words for “steep” are praerumpō, dēruptus, praeceps; also arduus, madefaciō. The right choice depends on the sense; see the distinctions below.

Entry from J. E. Riddle & T. K. Arnold, A Copious and Critical English–Latin Lexicon (rev. C. Anthon, New York: Harper, 1864), digitised by Fergus J. P. Walsh, CC BY-SA 4.0; Latin markup adapted by latindictionary.co.