Deeply soaked or saturated with something, either literally (like tea leaves in hot water) or figuratively (deeply involved or influenced by something).
From Old English and Germanic roots meaning 'to dip' or 'to soak.' Originally used literally for soaking things in liquid, the figurative sense developed around the 1600s to describe being deeply immersed in ideas, culture, or situations.
The metaphor of being 'steeped' in culture or history is so powerful because steep literally transfers flavors and colors—just like being deeply immersed in a culture genuinely changes how you think and who you become!
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