Precipice

Pronunciation

• IPA: /ˈpɹɛs.É™.pɪs/

Alternative forms

• præcipice archaic

Origin

First attested in 1598, from Latin *praecipitium ("a steep place"), from praeceps ("steep"), from prae + caput ("head"). First meaning of the noun is recorded from 1632.

Full definition of precipice

Noun

1. A very steep cliff.
• 1719- Daniel Defoe, I resolved to remove my tent from the place where it stood, which was just under the hanging precipice of the hill; and which, if it should be shaken again, would certainly fall upon my tent...
2. The brink of a dangerous situation.''to stand on a precipice
3. (obsolete) A headlong fall or descent.

Synonyms

• cliff

Related terms

• precipitous
• precipitously
• precipitousness