precipice

[ pres-uh-pis ]
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noun
  1. a cliff with a vertical, nearly vertical, or overhanging face.

  2. a situation of great peril: on the precipice of war.

Origin of precipice

1
1590–1600; <Middle French <Latin praecipitium steep place, equivalent to praecipit- (stem of praeceps) steep, headlong (prae-pre- + -cipit-, combining form of caput head; see caput) + -ium-ium

Other words from precipice

  • prec·i·piced, adjective
  • un·prec·i·piced, adjective

Words Nearby precipice

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How to use precipice in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for precipice

precipice

/ (ˈprɛsɪpɪs) /


noun
    • the steep sheer face of a cliff or crag

    • the cliff or crag itself

  1. a precarious situation

Origin of precipice

1
C16: from Latin praecipitium steep place, from praeceps headlong

Derived forms of precipice

  • precipiced, adjective

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