precipitate [ verb pri-sip-i-teyt; adjective, noun pri-sip-i-tit, -teyt ]
verb (used with object), pre·cip·i·tat·ed, pre·cip·i·tat·ing.
1. to hasten the occurrence of; bring about prematurely, hastily, or suddenly: to precipitate an international crisis.
2. to cast down headlong; fling or hurl down.
3. to cast, plunge, or send, especially violently or abruptly: He precipitated himself into the struggle.
4. Chemistry. to separate (a substance) in solid form from a solution, as by means of a reagent.
verb (used without object), pre·cip·i·tat·ed, pre·cip·i·tat·ing.
5. Meteorology. to fall to the earth's surface as a condensed form of water; to rain, snow, hail, drizzle, etc.
6. to separate from a solution as a precipitate.
7. to be cast or thrown down headlong.
adjective
8. headlong: a precipitate fall down the stairs.
9. rushing headlong or rapidly onward.
10. proceeding rapidly or with great haste: a precipitate retreat.
11. exceedingly sudden or abrupt: a precipitate stop; a precipitate decision.
12. done or made without sufficient deliberation; overhasty; rash: a precipitate marriage.
noun
13. Chemistry. a substance precipitated from a solution.
14. moisture condensed in the form of rain, snow, etc.
OTHER WORDS FROM PRECIPITATE
pre·cip·i·tate·ly, adverb
pre·cip·i·tate·ness, noun
pre·cip·i·ta·tive, adjective
pre·cip·i·ta·tor, noun
non·pre·cip·i·ta·tive, adjective
un·pre·cip·i·tate, adjective
un·pre·cip·i·tate·ly, adverb
un·pre·cip·i·tate·ness, noun
un·pre·cip·i·tat·ed, adjective
un·pre·cip·i·ta·tive, adjective
un·pre·cip·i·ta·tive·ly, adverb
WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH PRECIPITATE
precipitous
WORDS RELATED TO PRECIPITATE
hasten, trigger, accelerate, expedite, advance, fling, launch, further, dispatch, cast, hurl, press, discharge, throw, quicken
SYNONYMS FOR PRECIPITATE
See more synonyms on Thesaurus.com
1. accelerate.
4. crystallize.
12. reckless, impetuous.
ANTONYMS FOR PRECIPITATE
1. retard.
12. careful.
Origin: 1520–30; (v. and adj.) < Latin praecipitātus (past participle of praecipitāre to cast down headlong), equivalent to praecipit- (stem of praeceps steep; see precipice) + -ātus -ate1; (noun) < New Latin praecipitātum a precipitate, noun use of neuter of praecipitātus
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