precipice

Meaning

1. A very steep cliff.
2. (figuratively) The brink of a dangerous situation.
3. (obsolete) A headlong fall or descent.

Synonyms

cliff

abyss

chasm

gulf

bluff

crag

drop off

steep

ravine

steep cliff

escarpment

gap

steep slope

slope

scarp

gorge

declivity

bank

🏦

drop-off

gully

hill

mountain

⛰️

pit

rock

🪨

steep crag

heugh

ness

steep wall

rake

rampart

decline

clogwyn

rubble

ruin

scar

crisis

shelving

shore

crash

crags

stone

🪨

wreck

heavy rain

mountain slope

rock face

collapse

ascent

foreland

fissure

escarp

Translations

precipizio

précipice

Abgrund

afgrond

precipicio

precipício

burrone

γκρεμός

abisso

uçurum

baratro

gouffre

falaise

abîme

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ˈpɹɛsɪpɪs/

Etymology

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”).