precipitous Hear it!

precipitous Definition

pre·cipi·tous (prē sip′ə təs, pri-)

adjective

  1. steep like a precipice; sheer
  2. having precipices
  3. precipitate

Etymology: MFr precipiteux < LL *precipitosus < L praeceps: see precipice

precipitous Related Forms
pre·cip′i·tously adverb pre·cip′i·tous·ness noun
precipitous Synonyms

precipitous

modif.

abrupt, craggy, dizzying, steep; see abrupt 1, sharp 2. See syn. study at abrupt.

precipitous Usage Examples

Modifies a noun

  • cliff: We then head North, cycling through the rich farmland of the Black Isle to the precipitous sea cliffs of Cape Wrath.
  • slope: The precipitous slopes of Reid's Ridge are visible on the right.
  • decline: Birds Many species of farmland birds are in a precipitous decline.
  • descent: Before her lay a precipitous descent of some twenty feet or more.
  • drop: On all sides the main island, Garbh Eilean, seemed to be flanked by precipitous drops.
  • rock: The landscape is varied with gentle valleys, deep gorges, thickly wooded mountains, interspersed with bare precipitous rocks.

Modifying Another Word

  • very: Valleys of great depth, and some with very precipitous sides, lie round Snowdon, separating the various ridges.
  • too: Whilst being careful to respond in a timely manner, a landlord should therefore not be too precipitous.
  • often: They provide draft power to cultivate the narrow and often precipitous rice terraces.
  • not: The coast, tho not precipitous, is marked by a strong rocky outline, broken by numerous caves and several headlands and bays.

Used with adjective complement

  • become: This explanation was viewed rather skeptically, and we wondered if the cliff had become rather more precipitous due to subsequent quarrying.