— precipiced , adj.
/pres"euh pis/ , n.
1. a cliff with a vertical, nearly vertical, or overhanging face.
2. a situation of great peril: on the precipice of war.
[ 1590-1600; praecipitium steep place, equiv. to praecipit- (s. of praeceps ) steep, headlong ( prae- PRE- + -cipit-, comb.form of caput head; see CAPUT) + -ium -IUM ]