precipitous \precip"itous\, a. l. praeceps, -cipitis: cf. of.
   precipiteux. see precipice.
   1. steep, like a precipice; as, a precipitous cliff or
      mountain.
      1913 webster

   2. headlong; as, precipitous fall.
      1913 webster

   3. hasty; rash; quick; sudden; precipitate; as, precipitous
      attempts. --sir t. browne. "marian's low, precipitous
      `hush'" --mrs. browning.
      1913 webster -- precip"itously, adv. --
      precip"itousness, n.
      1913 webster
see also:
precipice precip"itously precip"itousness 

precipitousness
     n : the property possessed by a slope that is very steep syn: abruptness,
          steepness ant: gradualness
see also:
abruptness steepness gradualness