precipitate
Noun · Verb · AdjectiveOpen English WordNet
Verb (5)precipitated, precipitating
- bring about abruptly“The crisis precipitated by Russia's revolution”More general effect, effectuate
- separate as a fine suspension of solid particlesMore general change state, turn
- fall from clouds“rain, snow and sleet were falling”“Vesuvius precipitated its fiery, destructive rage on Herculaneum”Synonyms: come downfallMore general fallMore specific rain, snow, spat, sleet, hail, stormInvolves condense, distillSimilar fall
- fall vertically, sharply, or headlong“Our economy precipitated into complete ruin”More general descend, fall
- hurl or throw violently“The bridge broke and precipitated the train into the river below”More general hurl, hurtle
Noun (1)
Adjective (1)
- done with very great haste and without due deliberation“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”Synonyms: hastyoverhastyprecipitantprecipitousOpposite unhurriedSimilar hurried
What does it mean? Question 1 of today’s quiz
Webster's Dictionary (1913)
Origin: L. praecipitatus, p. p. of praecipitare to precipitate, fr. praeceps headlong. See Precipice.
1. Overhasty; rash; as, the king was too precipitate in declaring war. Edward Hyde, first earl of 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.” Walter S. Landor
3. Falling, flowing, or rushing, with steep descent; headlong.
Precipitate the furious torrent flows.— Matthew Prior
4. Ending quickly in death; brief and fatal; as, a precipitate case of disease. obsolete John Arbuthnot
Origin: NL. praecipitatum: cf. F. précipité.
Chemistry 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.
2. atmospheric moisture condensed as rain or snow, etc.; same as precipitation{5}.
Red precipitate Old. Chem, mercuric oxide (HgO) a heavy red crystalline powder obtained by heating mercuric nitrate, or by heating mercury in the air. Prepared in the latter manner, it was the precipitate per se of the alchemists. — White precipitate Old Chem. (a) A heavy white amorphous powder (NH2.HgCl) obtained by adding ammonia to a solution of mercuric chloride or corrosive sublimate; — formerly called also infusible white precipitate, and now amido-mercuric chloride. (b) A white crystalline substance obtained by adding a solution of corrosive sublimate to a solution of sal ammoniac (ammonium chloride); — formerly called also fusible white precipitate.
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.— Washington 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.— Richard Glover
If they be daring, it may precipitate their designs, and prove dangerous.— Francis, Baron Verulam Bacon
3. Chemistry 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.— Washington Irving
1. To dash or fall headlong. rare
So many fathom down precipitating.— William Shakespeare
2. To hasten without preparation. rare
3. Chemistry To separate from a solution as a precipitate. See Precipitate, noun
Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913), from GCIDE 0.54 · with additions: GCIDE editors
The Devil's Dictionary
Precipitate in all, this sinner Took action first, and then his dinner. Judibras
Precipitate in all, this sinner Took action first, and then his dinner. Judibras