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The Collaborative International Dictionary
To step into

Step \Step\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Stepped; p. pr. & vb. n. Stepping.] [AS. st[ae]ppan; akin to OFries. steppa, D. stappen to step, stap a step, OHG. stepfen to step, G. stapfe a footstep, OHG. stapfo, G. stufe a step to step on; cf. Gr. ? to shake about, handle roughly, stamp (?). Cf. Stamp, n. & a.]

  1. To move the foot in walking; to advance or recede by raising and moving one of the feet to another resting place, or by moving both feet in succession.

  2. To walk; to go on foot; esp., to walk a little distance; as, to step to one of the neighbors.

  3. To walk slowly, gravely, or resolutely.

    Home the swain retreats, His flock before him stepping to the fold.
    --Thomson.

  4. Fig.: To move mentally; to go in imagination. They are stepping almost three thousand years back into the remotest antiquity. --Pope. To step aside, to walk a little distance from the rest; to retire from company. To step forth, to move or come forth. To step in or To step into.

    1. To walk or advance into a place or state, or to advance suddenly in.

      Whosoever then first, after the troubling of the water, stepped in, was made whole of whatsoever disease he had.
      --John v. 4.

    2. To enter for a short time; as, I just stepped into the house.

    3. To obtain possession without trouble; to enter upon easily or suddenly; as, to step into an estate. To step out.

      1. (Mil.) To increase the length, but not the rapidity, of the step, extending it to thirty-tree inches.

      2. To go out for a short distance or a short time.

        To step short (Mil.), to diminish the length or rapidity of the step according to the established rules.

Usage examples of "to step into".

Doctor White stopped in the corridor and motioned to Anne to step into a doorway.

Just as he was about to step into the saddle again, he heard the beat of hoofs.

As if in a trance, he continued watching her as she lifted her skirts to step into the cool water.

He examined the table, chairs, and tapestries, annoyed that he had been forced to step into a place with no other exit.

Eric said, pulling back the curtain to step into the shower with me.

Unfortunate accidents or illnesses had allowed Menzar to step into a position of authority at schools in several Districts in Dhemlan—.

Whether it was Byrne's act or just plain carelessness on Levis' part, Byrne got his chance just as they were about to step into the lock.

It was John who, in the summer of 2003, invited me to step into the breach and take on this two-book assignment.

Captain Picard was swift to step into the widening breach between the Orakisan envoys.

He then sent his servants to their work, and taking his handkerchief out of his pocket, he doubled and spread it on his left hand, which he placed flat on the ground with the palm upward, making me a sign to step into it, as I could easily do, for it was not above a foot in thickness.

Holtzmann made a movement as if to step into view, and I prepared to vanish from the scene.

Unfortunate accidents or illnesses had allowed Menzar to step into a position of authority at schools in several Districts in Dhemlan-accidents he couldn't be linked to, that had no scent of him.

The gaunt man was almost out of the light at the halfway point, about to step into the second stretch of darkness, when again he stopped and stood as if quick-frozen.