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Verb: precipitate  ,pri'si-pu-tut
  1. Bring about abruptly
    "The crisis precipitated by Russia's revolution"
     
  2. Separate as a fine suspension of solid particles
     
  3. (of rain, snow, etc.) landing after falling from the clouds
    "Vesuvius precipitated its fiery, destructive rage on Herculaneum";
    - come down, fall
     
  4. Fall vertically, sharply, or headlong
    "Our economy precipitated into complete ruin"
     
  5. Hurl or throw violently
    "The bridge broke and precipitated the train into the river below"
Noun: precipitate  ,pri'si-pu-tut
  1. A precipitated solid substance in suspension or after settling or filtering
Adjective: precipitate  ,pri'si-pu-tut
  1. Done with very great haste and without due deliberation
    "wondered whether they had been rather precipitate in deposing the king";
    - hasty, overhasty, precipitant, precipitous

Derived forms: precipitated, precipitates, precipitating

See also: hurried

Type of: cast, change state, come down, descend, effect, effectuate, fall, go down, hurl, hurtle, set up, sink, solid, turn

Encyclopedia: Precipitate