precipitousness

from WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006)

precipitousness
    n 1: the property possessed by a slope that is very steep [syn:
         {abruptness}, {precipitousness}, {steepness}] [ant:
         {gentleness}, {gradualness}]
    2: the quality of happening with headlong haste or without
       warning [syn: {abruptness}, {precipitateness},
       {precipitousness}, {precipitance}, {precipitancy},
       {suddenness}]

from The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48

Precipitous \Pre*cip"i*tous\, 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] -- {Pre*cip"i*tous*ly}, adv. --
      {Pre*cip"i*tous*ness}, n.
      [1913 Webster]