French précipiteux, from Middle French, from Latin precipitium precipice
adjective
precipitate
very steep, perpendicular, or overhanging in rise or fall
having precipitous sides
steepabruptprecipitoussheer mean having an incline approaching the perpendicular. steep implies such sharpness of pitch that ascent or descent is very difficult. abrupt implies a sharper pitch and a sudden break in the level.