different between precipitousness vs precipice

English

Etymology

precipitous +? -ness

Noun

precipitousness (uncountable)

1. The state or quality of being precipitous.

Synonyms

• (suddenness): abruptness, spontaneity; see also Thesaurus:suddenness

English

Alternative forms

• præcipice (archaic)

Etymology

First attested in 1598, from Middle French precipice, from Latin praecipitium (“a steep place”), from praeceps (“steep”), from prae + caput (“head”). First meaning of the noun is recorded from 1632.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /?p??s?p?s/
• (weak vowel merger) IPA^(key): /?p??s.?.p?s/
• Hyphenation: preci?pice

Noun

precipice (plural precipices)

1. A very steep cliff.
   • 1719- Daniel Defoe, Robinson Crusoe

     I resolved to remove my tent from the place where it stood, which was just under the hanging precipice of the hill; and which, if it should be shaken again, would certainly fall upon my tent...

2. The brink of a dangerous situation.

   to stand on a precipice

3. (obsolete) A headlong fall or descent.

Synonyms

• cliff
• cliffdrop

Related terms

• precipitous
• precipitously
• precipitousness

Translations

Middle French

Noun

precipice m (plural precipices)

1. precipice (steep cliff)