precipitate Definition

precipitate
verb precipitated, precipitating

1. To cause something or hasten its advent.

Example: precipitated a war
Thesaurus: hurry, further, accelerate, advance, quicken, hasten, expedite, launch, induce, press, occasion, cause, project, trigger, speed.
2. To throw or plunge.

Example: Jim precipitated himself into the controversy
tr & intr
3. chem.
To form or cause something to form a suspension of small solid particles in a solution, as a result of certain chemical reactions.
4. meteorol.
Said of moisture, etc: to condense and fall as rain, snow, etc.

adj

1. Said of actions or decisions: recklessly hasty or ill-considered.

Thesaurus: impatient, abrupt, rash, hasty, headlong, reckless, heedless, hotheaded, impulsive, incautious, madcap, pell-mell, frantic, breakneck, precipitous; Antonym: cautious.

noun

1. chem.
A suspension of small solid particles formed in a solution as a result of certain chemical reactions.
2. meteorol.
Moisture deposited as rain or snow, etc.

Derivative: precipitately
adverb

Etymology: 16c: from Latin praecipitare, praecipitatum to fall or throw headlong.