| 释义 |
† preciˈpitious, a. Obs.
[f. L. præcipiti-um precipice n. + -ous. In sense 1 this form is more correct etymologically than precipitous.]
I.
1. Of the nature of a precipice: = precipitous 4.
1635R. Brathwait Arcad. Pr. 196 But you'r specially to shunne,..To walke..Neare a precipitious place. 1658Ray Rem. (1760) 196 A precipitious solid Rock. 1721Maundrell Journ. Jerus. Add. 6 Travelling through the Mountains, which were now somewhat more uneven and precipitious [printed precipititious].
b. fig. Involving risk of sudden fall or ruin.
1613Sherley Trav. Persia 83 Hee cannot bee so ignorant, as to vnderstand no way to bee so precipitious for himselfe. 1654tr. Scudery's Curia Pol. 60 Others have refused these royall dignities, as places too precipitious, and too full of cares and troubles.
2. Descending headlong; = precipitate a. 1.
1648Eikon Basilike v. 35 Monarchy it self, together with Me, could not but be dashed in pieces, by such a precipitious fall as they intended. [Misquoted as precipitous by J.]
II.
3. Sudden, abrupt: = precipitate a. 3, precipitous 2.
1676Glanvill Ess. vi. 24 Sutable to the Analogy of Nature, which useth not to make precipitious leaps from one thing to another, but usually proceeds by orderly steps and gradations.
4. Hasty, rash: = precipitate a. 4, precipitous 1.
1613Daniel Coll. Hist. Eng. 141 He..stood so betweene the kingdome and the kings rigor as stayed many precipitious violencies. 1673O. Walker Educ. i. ix. 78 Cross, precipitious, despiteful, revengeful. Ibid. i. xiii. 178 Lust..is the mother of negligence, precipitious inconsiderateness, inconstancy.
Hence † preciˈpitiously adv., hastily, precipitately; † preciˈpitiousness, hastiness, rashness.
1653H. Cogan tr. Pinto's Trav. lxviii. (1663) 278 In regard this execution had been done precipitiously, and without any proof. 1667Decay Chr. Piety viii. ⁋10 Precipitiously it will on, where ever strong desire shall drive. 1673O. Walker Educ. ii. iv. 261 Precipitiousness, impatience, or not staying to take the opportunity,..is frequently the ruine of many noble designs. |