precipice

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   A very steep cliff.

   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. 2
   noun

   The brink of a dangerous situation.

   To stand on a precipice.

3. 3
   noun

   a very steep cliff

4. 4
   noun

   A headlong fall or descent.

Simplified etymology

Precipice came through French precipice, “steep place” or “danger,” from Latin praeceps, “steep” or “headlong.” The same Latin source underlies precipitation, which originally referred to falling or throwing something down.

First attested in 1598, from Middle French precipice, from Latin praecipitium (“a steep place”), from praeceps (“steep”), from prae + caput (“head”), ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *kap- (“head”). Distantly related to precept through Latin praecipiō (“to teach”), from prae + capiō (“take”), ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *kap-, *keh₂p- (“to hold; to seize”).

Topics

External links

• Google Images
• Cambridge Dictionary
• Wiktionary