precipitate Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a precipitated solid substance in suspension or after settling or filtering
  2. verb bring about abruptly
    • The crisis precipitated by Russia's revolution
  3. verb separate as a fine suspension of solid particles
  4. verb fall from clouds
    come down; fall.
    • rain, snow and sleet were falling
    • Vesuvius precipitated its fiery, destructive rage on Herculaneum
  5. verb fall vertically, sharply, or headlong
    • Our economy precipitated into complete ruin
  6. verb hurl or throw violently
    • The bridge broke and precipitated the train into the river below
  7. adjective satellite done with very great haste and without due deliberation
    hasty; overhasty; precipitant; precipitous.
    • hasty marriage seldom proveth well"- Shakespeare
    • hasty makeshifts take the place of planning"- Arthur Geddes
    • rejected what was regarded as an overhasty plan for reconversion
    • wondered whether they had been rather precipitate in deposing the king

WordNet

Pre*cip"i*tate adjective
Etymology
L. praecipitatus, p. p. of praecipitare to precipitate, fr. praeceps headlong. See Precipice.
Definitions
  1. Overhasty; rash; as, the king was too precipitate in declaring war. Clarendon.
  2. Lacking due deliberation or care; hurried; said or done before the time; as, a precipitate measure. "The rapidity of our too precipitate course." Landor.
  3. Falling, flowing, or rushing, with steep descent; headlong.
    Precipitate the furious torrent flows. Prior.
  4. Ending quickly in death; brief and fatal; as, a precipitate case of disease. Obs. Arbuthnot.
Pre*cip"i*tate noun
Etymology
NL. praecipitatum: cf. F. précipité.
Definitions
  1. (Chem.) An insoluble substance separated from a solution in a concrete state by the action of some reagent added to the solution, or of some force, such as heat or cold. The precipitate may fall to the bottom (whence the name), may be diffused through the solution, or may float at or near the surface.
Pre*cip"i*tate transitive verb
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Precipitated ; present participle & verbal noun Precipitating
Definitions
  1. To throw headlong; to cast down from a precipice or height.
    She and her horse had been precipitated to the pebbled region of the river. W. Irving.
  2. To urge or press on with eager haste or violence; to cause to happen, or come to a crisis, suddenly or too soon; as, precipitate a journey, or a conflict.
    Back to his sight precipitates her steps. Glover.
    If they be daring, it may precipitate their designs, and prove dangerous. Bacon.
  3. (Chem.) To separate from a solution, or other medium, in the form of a precipitate; as, water precipitates camphor when in solution with alcohol.
    The light vapor of the preceding evening had been precipitated by the cold. W. Irving.
Pre*cip"i*tate intransitive verb
Definitions
  1. To dash or fall headlong. R.
    So many fathom down precipitating. Shak.
  2. To hasten without preparation. R.
  3. (Chem.) To separate from a solution as a precipitate. See Precipitate, n.

Webster 1913