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Definition of precipice - 4 dictionary results

prec⋅i⋅pice

  [pres-uh-pis]
Use precipice in a Sentence
–noun
1. a cliff with a vertical, nearly vertical, or overhanging face.
2. a situation of great peril: on the precipice of war.
Origin:
1590–1600; < MF < L praecipitium steep place, equiv. to praecipit- (s. of praeceps) steep, headlong (prae- pre- + -cipit-, comb.form of caput head; see caput ) + -ium -ium

Related forms:
prec⋅i⋅piced, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To precipice
prec·i·pice   (prěs'ə-pĭs)   
n.  
  1. An overhanging or extremely steep mass of rock, such as a crag or the face of a cliff.
  2. The brink of a dangerous or disastrous situation: on the precipice of defeat.

[French précipice, from Latin praecipitium, from praeceps, praecipit-, headlong; see precipitate.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Precipice

Prec"i*pice\, n. [F. pr['e]cipice, L. praecipitium, fr. praeceps, -cipitis, headlong; prae before + caput, capitis, the head. See Pre-, and Chief.]

1. A sudden or headlong fall. [Obs.] --Fuller.

2. A headlong steep; a very steep, perpendicular, or overhanging place; an abrupt declivity; a cliff.

Where wealth like fruit on precipices grew. --Dryden.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
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Language Translation for : precipice
Spanish: precipicio,
German: die Klippe,
Japanese: がけ
More Translations »

precipice 
1598, "fall to great depth," from Fr. précipice, from L. præcipitium "a steep place," lit. "a fall or leap," from præceps (gen. præcipitis) "steep, headlong, headfirst," from præ- "forth" + caput "head" (see head). Meaning "steep face of rock" is recorded from 1632.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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