Emily Dickinson Lexicon

STEP, v.i. [Sax. stæppan, steppan; D. stappen; Gr. στειβω, Qu. Russ. stopa, the foot. The sense is to set, as the foot, or more probably to open or part, to stretch or extend.]

1. To move the foot; to advance or recede by a movement of the foot or feet; as, to step forward, or to step backward.
2. To go; to walk a little distance; as, to step to one of the neighbors.
3. To walk gravely, slowly or resolutely. Home the swain retreats, / His flock before him stepping to the fold. – Thomson. To step forth, to move or come forth. – Cowley. To step aside, to walk to a little distance; to retire from company. To step in or into, to walk or advance into a place or state or to advance suddenly in. John v. #2. To enter for a short time. I just stepped into the house. #3. To obtain possession without trouble; to enter upon suddenly; as, to step into an estate. To step back, to move mentally; to carry the mind back. They are stepping almost three thousand years back into the remotest antiquity. – Pope.