precipice

Definitions

From Latin praecipitium, 'a steep place,' built on prae- (head-foremost) + caput (head): a place you could pitch over head-first. A precipice is exactly that sheer edge, and figuratively the dangerous brink you might tumble over.

Why It Means This

Precipice hides the word 'head.' Latin prae- ('before, foremost') plus caput ('head') described falling head-first — praeceps meant 'headlong.' A praecipitium was a spot you could go over head-down, i.e. a sheer drop. English kept both the literal cliff and the figurative edge: a country 'on the precipice of war' is one step from plunging in. The same head-first image runs through precipitate and precipitation.

Common Collocations

• 1.on the precipice of处于……的边缘
• 2.edge of a precipice悬崖边缘
• 3.sheer precipice陡峭的悬崖
• 4.teeter on the precipice在边缘摇摇欲坠

Example Sentences

• 1.

  The path wound along the edge of a sheer precipice.

• 2.

  The economy is teetering on the precipice of recession.

• 3.

  One wrong move and they would go over the precipice.