verb , adjective , noun
■ verb / prɪˈsɪpɪteɪt; NAmE / [ vn ] ( formal )
1.
to make sth, especially sth bad, happen suddenly or sooner than it should
SYN bring on , spark off :
His resignation precipitated a leadership crisis.
2.
precipitate sb/sth into sth to suddenly force sb/sth into a particular state or condition :
The assassination of the president precipitated the country into war.
■ adjective
/ prɪˈsɪpɪtət/ ( formal ) ( of an action or a decision ) happening very quickly or suddenly and usually without enough care and thought
► pre·cipi·tate·ly adverb :
to act precipitately
■ noun
/prɪˈsɪpɪteɪt/ ( chemistry ) a solid substance that has been separated from a liquid in a chemical process
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WORD ORIGIN
early 16th cent.: from Latin praecipitat- thrown headlong, from the verb praecipitare , from praeceps , praecip(it)- headlong, from prae before + caput head. The original sense of the verb was hurl down, send violently ; hence cause to move rapidly , which gave rise to the current verb and noun senses (early 17th cent.).