Definition of: precipitate

(pri·sip′ə·tāt, -tit) adjective
1. Rushing down headlong; moving or moved speedily or hurriedly.
2. Wanting due deliberation; hasty; rash.
3. Done prematurely; hurried; undeliberated.
4. Sudden and brief, as a disease. See synonyms under IMPETUOUS.
—v. (pri·sip′ə·tāt) ·tat·ed, ·tat·ing v.t.
1. To bring about before expected or needed; hasten the occurrence of: to precipitate a quarrel.
2. To throw headlong; hurl from or as from a height.
3. Meteorol. To cause (vapor, etc.) to condense and fall as dew, rain, etc.
4. Chem. To separate (a constituent) in solid form, as from a solution.
—v.i.
5. Meteorol. To fall as condensed vapor.
6. Chem. To separate and settle, as a substance held in solution.
7. To fall headlong; rush.
—noun (pri·sip′ə·tāt, -tit) Physics A deposit of solid matter formed in a solution by the action of chemical reagents or by certain physical forces, as low temperature. [<L praecipitatus, pp. of praecipitare <praeceps. See PRECIPICE.]
—pre·cip′i·tate·ly adverb
—pre·cip′i·tate·ness noun
—pre·cip′i·ta′tive adjective
—pre·cip′i·ta′tor noun