a very steep side of a high cliff, mountain or rock悬崖；峭壁- (figurative) The country was now on the edge of a precipice (= very close to disaster).这个国家现在情势岌岌可危。🔊🔊
see also precipitousExtra Examples- She paused on the edge of the precipice for a moment, then drew back.她在悬崖的边缘停了片刻，然后向后退去。
- The car was almost forced off a precipice.汽车几乎被迫驶离悬崖。
- teetering on the precipice of political anarchy摇摇欲坠的政治无政府状态
Topics Geographyc2Word Originlate 16th cent. (denoting a headlong fall): from French précipice or Latin praecipitium ‘abrupt descent’, from praeceps, praecip(it)- ‘steep, headlong’.
