taru-adjective, adverb taking the 'to' particle
towering; tall and steep
Literary or classical description of mountains or similar towering forms. Used with と (to) as an adverb or in たる (taru) attributive form.
その山は岌々としてそびえ立っていた。
The mountain rose towering and steep.
taru-adjective, adverb taking the 'to' particle
extremely dangerous; perilous
Rare literary use for situations of great danger, often in classical or formal contexts.
岌々たる危険が迫っていた。
An exceedingly dangerous situation was approaching.
Common word for 'danger'; 岌々 is a rare literary intensifier, not used in everyday speech.
Standard adjective for 'tall/high'; 岌々 adds a steep, towering nuance in classical style.
The exact derivation is uncertain; the kanji 岌 means 'high and steep' and is used reduplicatively for emphasis in classical Chinese-influenced Japanese.