Pré'çi-píçe, n.

n. [Fr. précipice, Sp. precipicio, It. precipizio, Lat. præcipitium, from præceps, præcipitis, headlong, from præ, before, and caput, capitis, the head.]

1. A sudden or headlong fall. [Obs.] “Whose precipice they suspected.” Fuller.
2. Hence, a headlong descent; a very steep, perpendicular, or overhanging place; an abrupt declivity. “Where wealth, like fruit, on precipices grew.” Dryden.