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precipitous

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pre·cip·i·tous

   [pri-sip-i-tuhs]
–adjective
1.
of the nature of or characterized by precipices: a precipitous wall of rock.
2.
extremely or impassably steep: precipitous mountain trails.
3.
precipitate.
Use precipitous in a Sentence
Origin:
1640–50; < obs. F précipiteux; see precipitate, -ous

—Related forms
pre·cip·i·tous·ly, adverb
pre·cip·i·tous·ness, noun
un·pre·cip·i·tous, adjective
un·pre·cip·i·tous·ly, adverb
un·pre·cip·i·tous·ness, noun

—Can be confused: precipitate, precipitous.

—Synonyms
2. abrupt, sheer, perpendicular.

—Antonyms
1, 2. flat, level.

Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2010.
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World English Dictionary
precipitous (prɪˈsɪpɪtəs) [Click for IPA pronunciation guide]
 
—adj
1.  resembling a precipice or characterized by precipices
2.  very steep
3.  hasty or precipitate
 
usage  The use of precipitous to mean hasty is thought by some people to be incorrect
 
pre'cipitously
 
—adv
 
pre'cipitousness
 
—n

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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Word Origin & History

precipitous
1640s, "rash, headlong," from obs. Fr. precipiteux (16c.), from V.L. *praecipitosus, from praecipitare (see precipitation). Precipitate (adj.) "hasty" is attested from 1650s.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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