prēˈsipəd.əs, prə̇ˈs-, -pətəs adjective
Etymology: French précipiteux, from Middle French precipiteux, from Latin precipitium precipice + Middle French -eux -ous — more at precipice
1. : marked by great rapidity, haste, or lack of caution : precipitate , hasty , sudden , rash
psychoses … shorter, more fleeting and more precipitous in onset — I.I.Weiss
2.
a. : having the character of a precipice : very steep, perpendicular, or overhanging in rise or fall
a precipitous slope
a precipitous bluff
b. : having very steep, perpendicular, or overhanging sides : containing precipices
precipitous mountains
a precipitous gorge
c. : having a very steep ascent
precipitous stairs
a precipitous street
Synonyms: see steep