precipice

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See also: précipice

English

Alternative forms

Etymology

First attested in 1598, from Middle French precipice, from Latin praecipitium (“a steep place”), from praeceps (“steep”), from prae + caput (“head”). First meaning of the noun is recorded from 1632.

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /ˈpɹɛsɪpɪs/
    • Audio (Southern England)(file)
  • (weak vowel merger) IPA(key): /ˈpɹɛs.ə.pɪs/
  • Hyphenation: preci‧pice

Noun

precipice (plural precipices)

  1. A very steep cliff.
  2. (figurative) The brink of a dangerous situation.
    to stand on a precipice
    • 2022 September 14, Arthur Neslen, quoting Noam Chomsky, “Health groups call for global fossil fuel non-proliferation treaty”, in The Guardian‎:
      In emailed comments supporting the new initiative, the laureate professor Noam Chomsky said: “Humans are marching towards a precipice. When we reach it, unthinkable catastrophe is inevitable. […] ”
  3. (obsolete) A headlong fall or descent.

Synonyms

Related terms

Translations

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Middle French

Noun

precipice m (plural precipices)

  1. precipice (steep cliff)
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