precipitous Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. adjective satellite done with very great haste and without due deliberation
    hasty; precipitate; overhasty; precipitant.
    • hasty marriage seldom proveth well"- Shakespeare
    • hasty makeshifts take the place of planning"- Arthur Geddes
    • rejected what was regarded as an overhasty plan for reconversion
    • wondered whether they had been rather precipitate in deposing the king
  2. adjective satellite extremely steep
    sharp; abrupt.
    • an abrupt canyon
    • the precipitous rapids of the upper river
    • the precipitous hills of Chinese paintings
    • a sharp drop

WordNet

Pre*cip"i*tous adjective
Etymology
L. praeceps, -cipitis: cf. OF. precipiteux. See Precipice.
Definitions
  1. Steep, like a precipice; as, a precipitous cliff or mountain.
  2. Headlong; as, precipitous fall.
  3. Hasty; rash; quick; sudden; precipitate; as, precipitous attempts. Sir T. Browne. "Marian's low, precipitous `Hush!'" Mrs. Browning. -- Pre*cip"i*tous*ly, adv. -- Pre*cip"i*tous*ness, n.

Webster 1913