Emily Dickinson Lexicon

PREC'I-PICE, n. [Fr. from L. præcipitium, from præceps, headlong; præ, forward, and ceps, for caput, head. See Chief.]

1. Strictly, a falling headlong; hence, a steep descent of land; a fall or descent of land, perpendicular or nearly so. Where wealth, like fruit, on precipices grew. – Dryden.
2. A steep descent in general. In the breaking of the waves there is ever a precipice. – Bacon. Swift down the precipice of time it goes. – Dryden.