12 definitions found for cliff

cliff n 1: a steep high face of rock; "he stood on a high cliff overlooking the town"; "a steep drop" [syn: cliff, drop, drop-off]

cliff O.E. clif, from P.Gmc. *kliban, perhaps from PIE base *gleibh- "to adhere, be attached." Cliffhanger "suspenseful situation" first recorded 1937.

cliff noun Etymology: Middle English clif, from Old English; akin to Old High German klep cliff, Old Norse klif Date: before 12th century a very steep, vertical, or overhanging face of rock, earth, or ice ; precipice • cliffy adjective

cliff
n. a steep rock-face, esp. at the edge of the sea.
Phrases and idioms:
cliff-hanger a story etc. with a strong element of suspense; a suspenseful ending to an episode of a serial. cliff-hanging full of suspense.
Derivatives:
clifflike adj. cliffy adj.
Etymology: OE clif f. Gmc

cliff (cliffs) A cliff is a high area of land with a very steep side, especially one next to the sea. The car rolled over the edge of a cliff. N-COUNT

cliff klɪf n. a steep rock-face, esp. at the edge of the sea. øcliff-hanger a story etc. with a strong element of suspense; a suspenseful ending to an episode of a serial. cliff-hanging full of suspense. øøclifflike adj. cliffy adj. [OE clif f. Gmc]

cliff
brimclif, clif, hlið, næss, sæwealle, sæweall

Cliff As some tall cliff that lifts its awful form, Swells from the vale, and midway leaves the storm,-- Though round its breast the rolling clouds are spread, Eternal sunshine settles on its head. GOLDSMITH: Des. Village, Line 189.

Cliff Cliff (kl[i^]f), n. [AS. clif, cloef; akin to OS. klif, D. klif, klip, Icel. klif, Dan. & G. klippe, Sw. klippa; perh. orig. a climbing place. See Climb.] A high, steep rock; a precipice. Cliff swallow (Zo["o]l.), a North American swallow (Petrochelidon lunifrons), which builds its nest against cliffs; the eaves swallow.

Cliff Cliff, n. (Mus.) See Clef. [Obs.]

cliff n. Precipice, crag, precipitous rock, rocky headland, overhanging rock, clift.

cliff klɪf n. precipice, bluff, escarpment, scarp, crag, rock-face, cuesta, scar or Scots scaur: The commandos are trained to scale a 100-foot cliff.