praecĭpĭtĭum

I. Lit., a steep place, an abrupt descent, a precipice (post-Aug.): in praecipitium propellere, Suet. Aug. 79; Vulg. Judith, 7, 8.—

B. Trop.: aut per confragosa vexabitur aut per praecipitia labetur, Lact. 6, 17; cf. Cic. Rep. 2, 41, 68.—

II. Transf., a falling headlong, a falling down, a fall: dum aliorum praecipitium vident, Lact. 2, 3: (herba urceolaris) contra, lapsus et praecipitia singularis, Plin. 22, 17, 20, § 43.