precipitous

Reading level: hard

Estimated CEFR level: C1 — Advanced

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. adjective done with very great haste and without due deliberation; - Shakespeare; - Arthur Geddes
  2. adjective extremely steep

Etymology

From obsolete French précipiteux, from Vulgar Latin *praecipitosus, from prae + caput (“head”). Equivalent to precipice (“steep”) + -ous.

In classic literature

Synonyms

hasty, overhasty, precipitate, precipitant

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