precipitate

precipitate
precipitates, precipitating, precipitated
(The verb is pronounced [[t]prɪsɪ̱pəteɪt[/t]]. The adjective is pronounced [[t]prɪsɪ̱pɪtət[/t]].)
1) VERB If something precipitates an event or situation, usually a bad one, it causes it to happen suddenly or sooner than normal. [FORMAL]

[V n] The killings in Vilnius have precipitated the worst crisis yet...

[V n] A slight mistake could precipitate a disaster.

Syn:
bring about, hasten
2) ADJ-GRADED: usu ADJ n A precipitate action or decision happens or is made more quickly or suddenly than most people think is sensible. [FORMAL]

I don't think we should make precipitate decisions...

Many of our current problems have been caused by precipitate policy making in the past.

Syn:
Derived words:
precipitately ADV-GRADED ADV with v

Somebody hired from another country is not likely to resign precipitately...

He hurried precipitately away.


English dictionary. 2008.

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  • Precipitate EP — EP Interpol …   Википедия

  • Precipitate — Pre*cip i*tate, n. [NL. praecipitatum: cf. F. pr[ e]cipit[ e].] (Chem.) An insoluble substance separated from a solution in a concrete state by the action of some reagent added to the solution, or of some force, such as heat or cold. The… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Precipitate — Pre*cip i*tate, a. [L. praecipitatus, p. p. of praecipitare to precipitate, fr. praeceps headlong. See {Precipice}.] 1. Overhasty; rash; as, the king was too precipitate in declaring war. Clarendon. [1913 Webster] 2. Lacking due deliberation or… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • precipitate — precipitate, precipitous 1. The two words overlap in meaning and were used interchangeably from the 17c to the 19c. Precipitous has a physical meaning ‘sheer like a precipice’: • There was a precipitous wooden stair to the ground floor A. Craig,… …   Modern English usage

  • Precipitate — Pre*cip i*tate, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Precipitated}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Precipitating}.] 1. To throw headlong; to cast down from a precipice or height. [1913 Webster] She and her horse had been precipitated to the pebbled region of the river. W.… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • precipitate — adj Precipitate, headlong, abrupt, impetuous, hasty, sudden as applied to persons or their acts or be havior denote characterized by excessive haste and unexpectedness. Precipitate especially stresses lack of due deliberation; sometimes it… …   New Dictionary of Synonyms

  • Precipitate — Pre*cip i*tate, v. i. 1. To dash or fall headlong. [R.] [1913 Webster] So many fathom down precipitating. Shak. [1913 Webster] 2. To hasten without preparation. [R.] [1913 Webster] 3. (Chem.) To separate from a solution as a precipitate. See… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • precipitate — [v] hurry, speed accelerate, advance, bring on, cast, discharge, dispatch, expedite, fling, further, hasten, hurl, launch, let fly, press, push forward, quicken, send forth, speed up, throw, trigger; concepts 152,242,704 Ant. check, slow, wait… …   New thesaurus

  • precipitate — [prē sip′ə tāt΄, prisip′ə tāt΄; ] for adj. [ & ] n. [, prē sip′ə tit, pri sip′ətit, prē sip′ ə tāt΄, pri sip′ətāt΄] vt. precipitated, precipitating [< L praecipitatus, pp. of praecipitare < praeceps: see PRECIPICE] 1. to throw headlong;… …   English World dictionary

  • precipitate# — precipitate vb *speed, accelerate, quicken, hasten, hurry Analogous words: drive, impel (see MOVE vb): *force, compel, coerce, constrain precipitate n *deposit, sediment, dregs, lees, grounds …   New Dictionary of Synonyms

  • precipitate — I adjective abrupt, breakneck, foolhardy, harebrained, hasty, headlong, headstrong, heady, hellbent, hot headed, hurried, immediate, impetuous, imprudent, impulsive, inconsultus, indiscreet, injudicious, madcap, overconfident, overly hasty,… …   Law dictionary

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