— precipitately , adv. — precipitateness , n. — precipitative , adj. — precipitator , n.
v. /pri sip"i tayt'/ ; adj. , n. /pri sip"i tit, -tayt'/ , v. , precipitated, precipitating , adj. , n.
v.t.
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, esp. violently or abruptly: He precipitated himself into the struggle.
4. Chem. to separate (a substance) in solid form from a solution, as by means of a reagent.
v.i.
5. Meteorol. 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.
adj.
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.
n.
13. Chem. a substance precipitated from a solution.
14. moisture condensed in the form of rain, snow, etc.
[ 1520-30; (v. and adj.) praecipitatus (ptp. of praecipitare to cast down headlong), equiv. to praecipit- (s. of praeceps steep; see PRECIPICE) + -atus -ATE 1 ; (n.) praecipitatum a precipitate, n. use of neut. of praecipitatus ]
Syn. 1. accelerate. 4. crystallize. 12. reckless, impetuous.
Ant. 1. retard. 12. careful.