First Known Use: 1646
Dictionary
precipitous
adjective pre·cip·i·tous \pri-ˈsi-pə-təs\
: very steep
: happening in a very quick and sudden way
: done too quickly and without enough thought or planning
Full Definition of PRECIPITOUS
1
: precipitate 2
2
a : very steep, perpendicular, or overhanging in rise or fall <a precipitous slope> b : having precipitous sides <a precipitous gorge> c : having a very steep ascent <a precipitous street>
— pre·cip·i·tous·ly adverb
— pre·cip·i·tous·ness noun
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Origin of PRECIPITOUS
French précipiteux, from Middle French, from Latin precipitium precipice
Related to PRECIPITOUS
Synonym Discussion of PRECIPITOUS
steep, abrupt, precipitous, sheer mean having an incline approaching the perpendicular. steep implies such sharpness of pitch that ascent or descent is very difficult <a steep hill> <a steep dive>. abrupt implies a sharper pitch and a sudden break in the level <a beach with an abrupt drop-off>. precipitous applies to an incline approaching the vertical <the river winds through a precipitous gorge>. sheer suggests an unbroken perpendicular expanse <sheer cliffs that daunted the climbers>.
Rhymes with PRECIPITOUS
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