'Precariousness' definitions:

Definition of 'precariousness'

noun

Extreme dangerousness

noun

Being unsettled or in doubt or dependent on chance; "the uncertainty of the outcome"; "the precariousness of his income" [syn: uncertainty, uncertainness, precariousness] [ant: certainty, foregone conclusion, sure thing]

From: GCIDE

Precarious \Pre*ca"ri*ous\, a. [L. precarius obtained by begging or prayer, depending on request or on the will of another, fr. precari to pray, beg. See Pray.]
1. Depending on the will or pleasure of another; held by courtesy; liable to be changed or lost at the pleasure of another; as, precarious privileges. --Addison. [1913 Webster]
2. Held by a doubtful tenure; depending on unknown causes or events; exposed to constant risk; not to be depended on for certainty or stability; uncertain; as, a precarious state of health; precarious fortunes. "Intervals of partial and precarious liberty." --Macaulay. [1913 Webster]
Syn: Uncertain; unsettled; unsteady; doubtful; dubious; equivocal.
Usage: Precarious, Uncertain. Precarious in stronger than uncertain. Derived originally from the Latin precari, it first signified "granted to entreaty," and, hence, "wholly dependent on the will of another." Thus it came to express the highest species of uncertainty, and is applied to such things as depend wholly on future casualties. [1913 Webster] -- {Pre*ca"ri*ous*ly}, adv. -- {Pre*ca"ri*ous*ness}, n. [1913 Webster]