Translate precipitate | into German | into Italian | into Spanish Definition of precipitate
verb
Pronunciation:
/prɪˈsɪpɪteɪt/ 1cause (an event or situation, typically one that is undesirable) to happen suddenly, unexpectedly, or prematurely:the incident precipitated a political crisis [with object and adverbial of direction] cause to move suddenly and with force:suddenly the ladder broke, precipitating them down into a heap (
precipitate someone/thing into)
send someone or something suddenly into a particular state or condition:they were precipitated into a conflict for which they were quite unprepared
2 Chemistry cause (a substance) to be deposited in solid form from a solution: cell proteins were then precipitated and washed in 10% trichloroacetic acid cause (drops of moisture or particles of dust) to be deposited from the atmosphere or from a vapour or suspension: excess moisture is precipitated as rain, fog, mist, or dew
adjective
Pronunciation:
/prɪˈsɪpɪtət/ done, made, or acting suddenly or without careful consideration:I must apologize for my staff—their actions were precipitate occurring suddenly or abruptly:a precipitate decline in Labour fortunes
noun
Chemistry a substance precipitated from a solution.
