precipice

Từ điển American Heritage Dictionary 4th

prec·i·pice (prĕsʹə-pĭs)n.
1. An overhanging or extremely steep mass of rock, such as a crag or the face of a cliff.
2. The brink of a dangerous or disastrous situation:
on the precipice of defeat. [French précipice, from Latin praecipitium, from praeceps, praecipit-, headlong. See precipitate.]