v., adj., & n.
v.tr. 1 hasten the occurrence of; cause to occur prematurely. 2 (foll. by into) send rapidly into a certain state or condition (were precipitated into war). 3 throw down headlong. 4 Chem. cause (a substance) to be deposited in solid form from a solution. 5 Physics a cause (dust etc.) to be deposited from the air on a surface. b condense (vapour) into drops and so deposit it.
adj. 1 headlong; violently hurried (precipitate departure). 2 (of a person or act) hasty, rash, inconsiderate.
n. 1 Chem. a substance precipitated from a solution. 2 Physics moisture condensed from vapour by cooling and depositing, e.g. rain or dew. precipitable adj. precipitability n. precipitately adv. precipitateness n. precipitator n.
[ L praecipitare praecipitat- f. praeceps praecipitis headlong (as PRAE-, caput head) ]