Precipitate
Pronunciation
- RP IPA: /prɪˈsɪpɪteɪt/, /prəˈsɪpɪteɪt/
Origin 1
Alternative forms
- præcipitate obsolete
From Latin praecipitÅ ("throw down, hurl down"), from praeceps ("head foremost, headlong"), from prae ("before") + caput ("head").
Full definition of precipitate
Verb
- (transitive) To make something happen suddenly and quickly; hasten.to precipitate a journey, or a conflict
- GloverBack to his sight precipitates her steps.
- Francis BaconIf they be daring, it may precipitate their designs, and prove dangerous.
- (transitive) To throw an object or person from a great height.
- Washington IrvingShe and her horse had been precipitated to the pebbled region of the river.
- (transitive) To send violently into a certain state or condition.
- (intransitive, chemistry) To come out of a liquid solution into solid form.Adding the acid will cause the salt to precipitate.
- (transitive, chemistry) To separate a substance out of a liquid solution into solid form.
- (intransitive, meteorology) To have water in the air fall to the ground, for example as rain, snow, sleet, or hail; be deposited as condensed droplets.It will precipitate tomorrow, but we don't know whether as rain or snow.
- (transitive) To cause (water in the air) to condense or fall to the ground.
- Washington IrvingThe light vapour of the preceding evening had been precipitated by the cold.
Synonyms
Related terms
Pronunciation
- RP IPA: /prɪˈsɪpɪtət/, /prəˈsɪpɪtət/
Origin 2
From Latin praecipitatum
Noun
precipitate
(plural precipitates)Pronunciation
- RP IPA: /prɪˈsɪpɪtət/, /prəˈsɪpɪtət/
Origin 3
From Latin praecipitatus
Adjective
precipitate
- headlong; falling steeply or vertically.
- PriorPrecipitate the furious torrent flows.
- Very steep; precipitous.
- With a hasty impulse; hurried; headstrong.
- Moving with excessive speed or haste.The king was too precipitate in declaring war.a precipitate case of disease
- Performed very rapidly or abruptly.