What does precipice mean?

Definitions for precipice
ˈprɛs ə pɪsprecipice

This dictionary definitions page includes all the possible meanings, example usage and translations of the word precipice.

Princeton's WordNet

  1. precipicenoun

    a very steep cliff

Wiktionary

  1. precipicenoun

    A very steep cliff.

  2. precipicenoun

    The brink of a dangerous situation.

    to stand on a precipice

  3. precipicenoun

    A headlong fall or descent.

  4. Etymology: First attested in 1598, from *, from praeceps, from prae + caput. First meaning of the noun is recorded from 1632.

Samuel Johnson's Dictionary

  1. PRECIPICEnoun

    A headlong steep; a fall perpendicular without gradual declivity.

    Etymology: præcipitium, Lat. precipice, Fr.

    You take a precipice for no leap of danger,
    And woo your own destruction. William Shakespeare, Henry VIII.

    Where the water dasheth more against the bottom, there it moveth more swiftly and more in precipice; for in the breaking of the waves there is ever a precipice. Francis Bacon.

    I ere long that precipice must tread,
    Whence none return, that leads unto the dead. George Sandys.

    No stupendous precipice denies
    Access, no horror turns away our eyes. John Denham.

    Swift down the precipice of time it goes,
    And sinks in minutes, which in ages rose. Dryden.

    His gen’rous mind the fair ideas drew
    Of fame and honour, which in dangers lay;
    Where wealth, like fruit, on precipices grew,
    Not to be gather’d but by birds of prey. Dryden.

    Drink as much as you can get; because a good coachman never drives so well as when he is drunk; and then shew your skill, by driving to an inch by a precipice. Jonathan Swift.

Wikipedia

  1. precipice

    In geography and geology, a cliff is an area of rock which has a general angle defined by the vertical, or nearly vertical. Cliffs are formed by the processes of weathering and erosion, with the effect of gravity. Cliffs are common on coasts, in mountainous areas, escarpments and along rivers. Cliffs are usually composed of rock that is resistant to weathering and erosion. The sedimentary rocks that are most likely to form cliffs include sandstone, limestone, chalk, and dolomite. Igneous rocks such as granite and basalt also often form cliffs. An escarpment (or scarp) is a type of cliff formed by the movement of a geologic fault, a landslide, or sometimes by rock slides or falling rocks which change the differential erosion of the rock layers. Most cliffs have some form of scree slope at their base. In arid areas or under high cliffs, they are generally exposed jumbles of fallen rock. In areas of higher moisture, a soil slope may obscure the talus. Many cliffs also feature tributary waterfalls or rock shelters. Sometimes a cliff peters out at the end of a ridge, with mushroom rocks or other types of rock columns remaining. Coastal erosion may lead to the formation of sea cliffs along a receding coastline. The Ordnance Survey distinguishes between around most cliffs (continuous line along the topper edge with projections down the face) and outcrops (continuous lines along lower edge).

ChatGPT

  1. precipice

    A precipice is a vertical or near-vertical cliff-like edge or steep slope, typically found in mountainous or elevated areas. It is characterized by its sharp drop or sheer face, often presenting a dangerous or life-threatening situation if one were to fall off. Precipices can be natural geological formations or man-made structures, such as tall buildings or bridges, that have steep and abrupt edges.

Webster Dictionary

  1. Precipicenoun

    a sudden or headlong fall

  2. Precipicenoun

    a headlong steep; a very steep, perpendicular, or overhanging place; an abrupt declivity; a cliff

  3. Etymology: [F. prcipice, L. praecipitium, fr. praeceps, -cipitis, headlong; prae before + caput, capitis, the head. See Pre-, and Chief.]

Wikidata

  1. Precipice

    "Precipice" is the second part of the third season premiere and 35th episode of the re-imagined American science fiction drama television series Battlestar Galactica. The episode was written by re-imagined creator Ronald D. Moore, and directed by Sergio Mimica-Gezzan. It first aired on October 6, 2006 on the Sci-Fi Channel along with the preceding episode "Occupation". In "Precipice", the Cylons respond to the suicide attack in the previous episode by rounding up several civilians believed to be affiliated with the resistance, and later decide to have them executed. Meanwhile, Galactica is to send a squadron to meet with the resistance on New Caprica. Unlike most episodes, it does not include a survivor count. Since "Occupation" revolved around the resistance, "Precipice" focused more on the New Caprica Police and Jammer's role in it. The producers also decided to release the Sharon model imprisoned on Galactica. During the writing process, Moore included references to Seinfeld and The Great Escape. The episode was seen by 2.2 million viewers and received universal acclaim from critics. In addition, Moore's writing of the episode was nominated for an Emmy and Writers Guild of America awards.

Chambers 20th Century Dictionary

  1. Precipice

    pres′i-pis, n. a very steep place: any steep descent: a perpendicular bank or cliff.—adj. Precip′itous, like a precipice: very steep: hasty: rash.—adv. Precip′itously.—n. Precip′itousness. [Fr.,—L. præcipitiumpræceps, præcipitis, headlong—præ, before, caput, capitis, the head.]

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Numerology

  1. Chaldean Numerology

    The numerical value of precipice in Chaldean Numerology is: 9

  2. Pythagorean Numerology

    The numerical value of precipice in Pythagorean Numerology is: 3

Examples of precipice in a Sentence

  1. Yolanda Kakabadse:

    Humans tend to leave it until we’re at the edge of the precipice before we take decisions. I’m an optimist by nature – you can’t work in the environmental world if you’re not. http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/62ebf896-ccc9-11e4-b5a5-00144feab7de.html

  2. State John Kerry:

    I look forward to these meetings as an opportunity to try to pull people back from a precipice and try to move down a road, because everybody understands that in the end, it requires a political solution, it requires two states living side-by-side in peace with two peoples appropriately honored with their countries, and with security.

  3. Andrew Hollenhorst:

    The slowing trend evident across categories raises concern that a slowing trend most evident in manufacturing is also becoming more apparent in the broader economy, this should leave the Fed right on the precipice of providing some 'insurance' by cutting rates at the July meeting.

  4. Franklin Graham:

    We're on the edge of a precipice, time is short. We need to pray for God to intervene. We need to ask God to protect, strengthen, encourage, and guide the President.

  5. Fadel Gheit:

    Oil prices played a big part, but Petrobras has itself to blame too, it's a classic case of mismanagement and government interference. Low oil prices pushed them over the cliff, but they got to the precipice themselves.

Popularity rank by frequency of use

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Translations for precipice

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"precipice." Definitions.net. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 18 Mar. 2024. <https://www.definitions.net/definition/precipice>.

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