Precipice: meaning, definitions and examples

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precipice

 

[ ˈprɪsɪpɪs ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

dangerous

A very steep rock face or cliff, typically a tall one.

Synonyms

bluff, cliff, crag, escarpment, ridge

Examples of usage

  • He stood at the edge of the precipice, looking down into the abyss below.
  • The hikers carefully navigated the narrow path along the precipice.
  • The castle was perched on the edge of a precipice, overlooking the valley.
  • One wrong step could send you tumbling over the precipice.
  • The village was nestled at the base of a towering precipice.
Context #2 | Noun

metaphorical

A hazardous situation; a position of great peril.

Synonyms

brink, cusp, edge, threshold, verge

Examples of usage

  • The company teetered on the precipice of bankruptcy.
  • His reckless behavior brought him to the precipice of disaster.
  • The negotiations reached a critical point, teetering on the precipice of failure.
  • The country stood on the precipice of war, with tensions running high.
  • Their relationship was on the precipice of collapse, hanging by a thread.

Translations

Translations of the word "precipice" in other languages:

🇵🇹 precipício

🇮🇳 कगार

🇩🇪 Abgrund

🇮🇩 jurang

🇺🇦 прірва

🇵🇱 przepaść

🇯🇵 絶壁 (ぜっぺき)

🇫🇷 précipice

🇪🇸 precipicio

🇹🇷 uçurum

🇰🇷 절벽

🇸🇦 هاوية

🇨🇿 propast

🇸🇰 priepasť

🇨🇳 悬崖 (xuányá)

🇸🇮 prepad

🇮🇸 bjargbrún

🇰🇿 жартас

🇬🇪 პირასვლა

🇦🇿 uçurum

🇲🇽 precipicio

Etymology

The word 'precipice' originated from the Latin word 'praecipitium', which means 'steep place'. It has been used in English since the late 16th century to describe a steep rock face or a hazardous situation. The imagery of standing at the edge of a precipice has been a powerful symbol of danger and risk throughout literature and art.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #16,743, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.