precipice

American  

[pres-uh-pis] / ˈprɛs ə pɪs /

noun

1. a cliff with a vertical, nearly vertical, or overhanging face.

2. a situation of great peril.

   on the precipice of war.

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precipice British  

/ ˈprɛsɪpɪs /

noun

1. 1. the steep sheer face of a cliff or crag

   2. the cliff or crag itself

2. a precarious situation

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Other Word Forms

• precipiced adjective
• unprecipiced adjective

Etymology

Origin of precipice

1590–1600; < Middle French < Latin praecipitium steep place, equivalent to praecipit- (stem of praeceps ) steep, headlong ( prae- pre- + -cipit-, combining form of caput head; caput ) + -ium -ium

Example Sentences

Others said precious metals prices are already at a precipice and likely to fall.

From The Wall Street Journal

While admired for its painstaking construction, de Guitaut notes the dress offers a glimpse into a moment in history in a country on the precipice of change.

From BBC

Most of the sheep huddle in sleep, while the more adventurous ones and, predictably, the goats perch on rocky precipices.

From The Wall Street Journal

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent is on the precipice of what may be the defining event of his government career.

From Barron's

England were pushed towards the precipice of the fastest Ashes series defeat in more than 100 years as a Travis Head century maintained Australia's grip on the third Test in Adelaide.

From BBC

Related Words

• bluff
• cliff
• crag