11 January 2018
precipitate
[verb pri-sip-i-teyt; adjective, noun pri-sip-i-tit, -teyt]
verb (used with object), precipitated, precipitating.
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, especially violently or abruptly:
He precipitated himself into the struggle.
Chemistry. to separate (a substance) in solid form from a solution, as by means of a reagent.
verb (used without object), precipitated, precipitating.
5. Meteorology. 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.
adjective
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.
noun
13. Chemistry. a substance precipitated from a solution.
14. moisture condensed in the form of rain, snow, etc.
Origin of precipitate
Latin
1520-1530; (v. and adj.) < Latin praecipitātus (past participle of praecipitāre to cast down headlong), equivalent to praecipit- (stem of praeceps steep; see precipice ) + -ātus -ate1; (noun) < New Latin praecipitātum a precipitate, noun use of neuter of praecipitātus
Related forms
precipitately, adverb
precipitateness, noun
precipitative, adjective
precipitator, noun
nonprecipitative, adjective
Can be confused
precipitate, precipitous.
Synonyms
1. accelerate. 4. crystallize. 12. reckless, impetuous.
Antonyms
1. retard. 12. careful.
Dictionary.com
Examples from the Web for precipitate
Contemporary Examples
And it was probably at least partly this that precipitated his downfall.
Relishing Rembrandt’s Blockbuster London Show
Nancy Durrant
October 16, 2014
Rather, it precipitated a month-long diplomatic crisis of byzantine complexity that exposed deeper, long-term sources of conflict.
Barbara Tuchman’s ‘The Guns of August’ Is Still WWI’s Peerless Chronicle
James A. Warren
September 29, 2014
Our public fascination with buttholes has also precipitated a whole new genre of celebrity rumors.
The ‘Back Door’ Is Having Its Pop Culture Moment
Gabriella Paiella
September 27, 2014
Her departure was precipitated by her decision as an IACC member to vote against more funding for studies on vaccine safety.
“Autism Speaks”- but Should Everyone Listen?
Emily Shire
June 13, 2014
Did the writers give you any idea what precipitated this collapse—perhaps a nuclear war or environmental devastation?
The Great Character Actor: Guy Pearce on His Brilliant Career, From ‘Priscilla’ to ‘The Rover’
Richard Porton
May 23, 2014
Historical Examples
Let not your Clarissa be precipitated into a state she wishes not to enter into with any man!
Clarissa, Volume 1 (of 9)
Samuel Richardson
This was on April 24, 1846, and precipitated hostilities at once.
Aztec Land
Maturin M. Ballou
This precipitated a vigorous discussion which extended into the next day.
The History of Woman Suffrage, Volume IV
Various
I have been precipitated, alive, into this hell by another ghost.
Romance
Joseph Conrad and F.M. Hueffer
For this, Europe, during two centuries, was precipitated on Asia.
Blackwoods Edinburgh Magazine, Volume 59, No. 366, April, 1846
Various
Anagram
irate peptic
pita receipt
create pi pit
trace pie tip
Today’s quote
The sun does not shine for a few trees and flowers, but for the wide world’s joy.
– Henry Ward Beecher
On this day
11 January 1986 – Brisbane’s Gateway Bridge opens.
11 January 2008 – death of Edmund Hillary, New Zealand mountaineer, explorer and philanthropist. Hillary and sherpa Tbeenzing Norgay became the first men to reach the summit of Mt Everest. Born 20 July 1919.
11 January 2011 – flood-waters from the Lockyer Valley reach the Brisbane River catchment, causing the river to break its banks, flooding the CBD and other river-side suburbs, including New Farm, Fortitude Valley, West End, St Lucia, Rocklea and Graceville, inundating 20,000 homes. The Brisbane River peaked on 13 January 2013 at a height of 4.46m. The city of Ipswich was also inundated, with the Bremer River peaking on 12 January 2011. The worst affected areas included Goodna and Gailes. There were reports of bull sharks in the city centre of Goodna. A total of 35 people died as a result of the flooding in Toowoomba, the Lockyer Valley, Brisbane and Ipswich.
11 January 2016 – death of David Bowie, British musician and actor, born David Robert Jones. Born 8 January 1947.