Something which is abrupt; an abyss.
"The sudden drop-off at the edge of the cliff created a terrifyingly abrupt abyss where no path could exist."
To tear off or asunder.
"The old rope gave an abrupt snap and sent the heavy crate crashing to the floor."
extremely steep
"an abrupt canyon"
"the precipitous rapids of the upper river"
"the precipitous hills of Chinese paintings"
"a sharp drop"
Broken away (from restraint).
"The horse, startled by the loud thunder, broke abruptly from its tether and bolted down the street."
The word "abrupt" comes from the Latin abruptus, meaning "broken off." It is derived from a verb that combines the prefix for "away from" with the root for "to break."