precipice Hear it!

precipice definition

preci·pice (pres′ə pis)

noun

  1. a vertical, almost vertical, or overhanging rock face; steep cliff
  2. a greatly hazardous situation, verging on disaster

Etymology: Fr précipice < L praecipitium < praeceps, headlong < prae-, before (see pre-) + caput, head (see chief)

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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