steppe
Meaning: A large, flat, treeless grassland, especially the vast expanses found in Central Asia, southeastern Europe, and parts of North America.
The Eurasian Steppe is the largest grassland region on Earth, stretching from Hungary to Manchuria. Historically, the steppe was home to nomadic peoples whose mastery of horse-riding gave them extraordinary military power — the Mongols, Scythians, and Huns all emerged from steppe cultures. In ecology, steppes are characterised by semi-arid conditions, extreme temperature ranges, and drought-resistant grasses. The North American equivalent is the prairie.
Examples
- The vast Eurasian steppe was the highway along which nomadic armies swept westward into Europe. 广袤的欧亚大草原是游牧军队西进欧洲的通道。La vasta estepa euroasiática fue la autopista por la que los ejércitos nómadas irrumpieron hacia el oeste en Europa.広大なユーラシア・ステップは、遊牧民の軍隊がヨーロッパへ西進した街道でした。광활한 유라시아 스텝은 유목민 군대가 유럽으로 서진한 통로였습니다.
- The steppe grasses turn golden in autumn, stretching to the horizon in every direction. 秋天,草原上的草变成金黄色,向四面八方延伸至地平线。Las hierbas de la estepa se tornan doradas en otoño, extendiéndose hasta el horizonte en todas las direcciones.ステップの草は秋になると黄金色に変わり、どの方向にも地平線まで続いています。스텝의 풀은 가을이 되면 황금빛으로 변하며, 사방으로 지평선까지 끝없이 펼쳐집니다.
- Mongolian herders continue to follow traditional seasonal migration patterns across the steppe with their livestock. 蒙古牧民继续沿着传统的季节性迁徙路线,带着牲畜穿越草原。Los pastores mongoles continúan siguiendo los patrones tradicionales de migración estacional a través de la estepa con su ganado.モンゴルの遊牧民は、家畜とともにステップを横断する伝統的な季節移動のパターンを今も続けています。몽골의 유목민들은 가축과 함께 스텝을 횡단하는 전통적인 계절 이동 방식을 오늘날에도 이어가고 있습니다.
Pronunciation
Usage Guide
Context: academic, media
Tone: neutral
Origin & History
From Russian step' (steppe, barren land), of uncertain earlier origin, possibly from a Turkic language. Entered English in the 17th century through accounts of Russian and Central Asian geography.
Cultural Context
Era: Modern
Generation: All ages
Social background: Universal
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