Historically, the term "step" was used to indicate that a person was not related by blood but rather by marriage, and therefore "deprived" of the full familial relationship.
Here's how the usage evolved:
* Old English: "Steop" initially referred to someone who had lost a parent, often through death.
* Middle English: "Step" began to be used to describe someone who was related through marriage, particularly a spouse's child from a previous relationship. This connection was seen as "deprived" of the full biological connection.
* Modern English: The terms "stepmother," "stepfather," "stepsister," and "stepbrother" became standardized, carrying the sense of a secondary parental or sibling relationship.
While the original connotation of "deprived" may seem outdated or even negative today, it's crucial to remember the historical context and understand the evolution of language. Today, the terms "step" are used to simply describe family relationships based on marriage, rather than blood.