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- DictionaryPre·cip·i·tate
verb
- 1. cause (an event or situation, typically one that is bad or undesirable) to happen suddenly, unexpectedly, or prematurely: "the incident precipitated a political crisis"
- 2. cause (a substance) to be deposited in solid form from a solution: "cell proteins were then precipitated and washed in 10% trichloroacetic acid"
adjective
- 1. done, made, or acting suddenly or without careful consideration: "I must apologize for my staff—their actions were precipitate"
noun
- 1. a substance precipitated from a solution.
precipitate, headlong, abrupt, impetuous, sudden mean showing undue haste or unexpectedness. precipitate stresses lack of due deliberation and implies prematureness of action. the army's precipitate withdrawal. headlong stresses rashness and lack of forethought. a headlong flight from arrest.
precipitate. In chemistry, a solid material that is formed in a solution by chemical reactions and settles to the bottom of the container in which the reaction takes place. A precipitate may also be a substance removed from another by an artificial filter. Discover More.
PRECIPITATE definition: 1. to make something happen suddenly or sooner than expected: 2. to throw someone or something…. Learn more.
PRECIPITATE meaning: 1. to make something happen suddenly or sooner than expected: 2. to throw someone or something…. Learn more.
Precipitate usually means "bringing something on" or "making it happen" — and not always in a good way. An unpopular verdict might "precipitate violence" or one false step at the Grand Canyon could precipitate you down into the gorge.
A precipitate action or decision happens or is made more quickly or suddenly than most people think is sensible.
precipitate. hasten the occurrence of; to cast, plunge, or send violently; accelerate: precipitate a fight. Not to be confused with: precipitant – falling headlong; rushing hastily onward; unduly sudden: precipitant decision. precipitous – extremely steep; abrupt, sheer: a precipitous slope.
precipitate somebody/something into something to suddenly force somebody/something into a particular state or condition. The assassination of the president precipitated the country into war.
to hasten the occurrence of; bring about prematurely, hastily, or suddenly: to precipitate an international crisis. to cast down headlong; fling or hurl down. to cast, plunge, or send, especially violently or abruptly: He precipitated himself into the struggle.
precipitate somebody/something into something to suddenly force someone or something into a particular state or condition The assassination of the president precipitated the country into war. See precipitate in the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Check pronunciation: precipitate.
