pre·cip·i·tous 
(prĭ-sĭpĭ-təs)
(prĭ-sĭpĭ-təs)adj.
1. Resembling a precipice; extremely steep. See Synonyms at steep1.
2. Having several precipices: a precipitous bluff.
3. Extremely rapid, hasty, or abrupt; precipitate: a precipitous collapse in prices. See Usage Note at precipitate.
[Probably from obsolete precipitious, from Latin praecipitium, precipice; see PRECIPICE.]
pre·cipi·tous·ly adv.
pre·cipi·tous·ness n.