transitive verb precipitated -·tat′ed, precipitating -·tat′·ing

1. to throw headlong; hurl downward
2. to cause to happen before expected, warranted, needed, or desired; bring on; hasten to precipitate a crisis
3. Chem.
   1. to cause (a slightly soluble substance) to become insoluble, as by heat or by a chemical reagent, and separate out from a solution
   2. to cause the separation of a suspended liquid or solid from a gas
4. Meteorol. to condense (water vapor) and cause to fall to the ground as rain, snow, sleet, etc.

Etymology: < L praecipitatus, pp. of praecipitare < praeceps: see precipice

intransitive verb

1. Chem. to be precipitated
2. Meteorol. to condense and fall to the ground as rain, snow, sleet, etc.

adjective

1. falling steeply, rushing headlong, flowing swiftly, etc.
2. acting, happening, or done very hastily or rashly; impetuous; headstrong
3. very sudden, unexpected, or abrupt

Etymology: L praecipitatus: see precipitatethe

noun

Etymology: ModL praecipitatum