Precipice: meaning, definitions and examples
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precipice
[ ˈprɪsɪpɪs ]
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.
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
Word origin
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.