In my story there is a hill and the hill looks like a stair case with three steps what would you even call each step? (Without saying “step” because that’s not right for the moment he is in).
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This question would be more suited to English Language & Usage, since you're after a specific term rather than general advice on writing. FWIW, my suggestion would be "tier"; in Australia, such stepped geological formations are actually called Tiers.– Chappo Hasn't ForgottenSep 24, 2018 at 0:47
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3 Answers
In the far east and on the Mediterranean we describe the "steps" on mountains used for agriculture as Terraces. If you do a google image search for 'mountain terrace', you will see hundreds of "stepped" mountains - https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=terraces+mountain&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjsxvjF1OrdAhWNRMAKHQo_ARIQ7Al6BAgCEA0&biw=1280&bih=651 was that what you had in mind?
Even though you know something isn't what you describe, using descriptive terminology is fine. Especially if something else follows:
The hill looks like a staircase with three steps. But it can't be an actual staircase, and they can't be actual steps. Instead . . .
The use of looks like is a qualifier, such as seems to be or reminds me of. Whatever follows doesn't necessarily reflect what it is in fact.
Unless of course, your problem is not with the analogy but with the use of the word step itself. If your narrative prevents the use of that word for whatever reason, then you will need to come up with something different:
It's a strange hill. It looks like something purposely built to be walked up, rather than something formed by nature . . .
In clarification from a comment, "it looks like three gigantic steps."
So:
They look like steps made for a giant.
After such a description, you could simply refer to them as giant steps.
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It looks like three gigantic steps and my character is running from something and he’s think to himself “I can’t jump over the ____ it’ll slow me down to much” I just don’t know what to call the step because it sounds weird when it isn’t even really a step it just looks like one– AngelSep 24, 2018 at 16:06
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What I’m really asking is what do I fill in that blank with can’t jump over the ____ it’ll slow me down– AngelSep 24, 2018 at 16:18
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@angel The giant steps. You will need to have already explained what has been seen. Sep 24, 2018 at 16:29
You could describe it as a series of interlocking stelae, a path carved by the giants of yore in the bones of earth. You could call them mesas in miniature.
I wouldn’t call it a staircase or allude to it as such. I might suggest describing the climb.
Frer was almost home, but while the distance was not great the ascent was not easy. Carrying the water he slowly climbed the first ascent, seventy feet of rough terrain and sudden level areas. He believed his grandfather’s stories about giants, who else could have moved these massive stones, now overgrown and one with the landscape. Resting briefly, he strode the length of the gentle incline that looked level from afar. The next slope was steeper still, but thankfully not quite as high as the first. Too close to home now to rest, he dug deep and climbed the final slope and saw his father waiting at the door of the hut they called home.
