precipice

[pres-uh-pis]

noun

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

2. a situation of great peril.

   on the precipice of war.

precipice

/ ˈprɛsɪpɪs /

noun

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

   2. the cliff or crag itself

2. a precarious situation

Other Word Forms

• precipiced adjective
• unprecipiced adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of precipice¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of precipice¹

C16: from Latin praecipitium steep place, from praeceps headlong

Example Sentences

A few days later, Moody's Analytics economist Mark Zandi declared on social media that the economy was "on the precipice of a recession".

From BBC

Osbourne developed an aggressive vocal wail that always seemed to be teetering on the precipice of insanity.

From BBC

What intrigues you about what Dr. Robby and the rest of the characters on this show say about this moment in time, especially as the healthcare industry is on the precipice of more drastic change?

From Los Angeles Times

And his patients were on the precipice of an irreversible slide towards death.

From BBC

There was little to suggest KR were on the precipice of Super League stardom.

From BBC

Related Words

• bluff 
• cliff 
• crag