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Precipitate   /prɪsˈɪpɪtˌeɪt/   Listen
noun
Precipitate  n.  (Chem.)
1.
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 precipitate may fall to the bottom (whence the name), may be diffused through the solution, or may float at or near the surface.
2.
Atmospheric moisture condensed as rain or snow, etc.; same as precipitation 5.
Red precipitate (Old. Chem), mercuric oxide (HgO) a heavy red crystalline powder obtained by heating mercuric nitrate, or by heating mercury in the air. Prepared in the latter manner, it was the precipitate per se of the alchemists.
White precipitate (Old Chem.)
(a)
A heavy white amorphous powder (NH2.HgCl) obtained by adding ammonia to a solution of mercuric chloride or corrosive sublimate; formerly called also infusible white precipitate, and now amido-mercuric chloride.
(b)
A white crystalline substance obtained by adding a solution of corrosive sublimate to a solution of sal ammoniac (ammonium chloride); formerly called also fusible white precipitate.


verb
Precipitate  v. t.  (past & past part. precipitated; pres. part. precipitating)  
1.
To throw headlong; to cast down from a precipice or height. "She and her horse had been precipitated to the pebbled region of the river."
2.
To urge or press on with eager haste or violence; to cause to happen, or come to a crisis, suddenly or too soon; as, precipitate a journey, or a conflict. "Back to his sight precipitates her steps." "If they be daring, it may precipitate their designs, and prove dangerous."
3.
(Chem.) To separate from a solution, or other medium, in the form of a precipitate; as, water precipitates camphor when in solution with alcohol. "The light vapor of the preceding evening had been precipitated by the cold."


Precipitate  v. i.  
1.
To dash or fall headlong. (R.) "So many fathom down precipitating."
2.
To hasten without preparation. (R.)
3.
(Chem.) To separate from a solution as a precipitate. See Precipitate, n.


adjective
Precipitate  adj.  
1.
Overhasty; rash; as, the king was too precipitate in declaring war.
2.
Lacking due deliberation or care; hurried; said or done before the time; as, a precipitate measure. "The rapidity of our too precipitate course."
3.
Falling, flowing, or rushing, with steep descent; headlong. "Precipitate the furious torrent flows."
4.
Ending quickly in death; brief and fatal; as, a precipitate case of disease. (Obs.)





Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48


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"Precipitate" Quotes from Famous Books



... tide had just left. It was filmed with water. It was a mirror in which the sky was inverted. When a breath of air passed over that polished surface it was as though the earth were a shining bubble which then nearly burst. To dare that foothold might precipitate the intruder on ancient magic to cloudland floating miles beneath the feet. But I had had the propriety to go barefooted, and had lightened my mind before beginning the voyage. Here I felt I was breaking into what was still only the first day, for man had never measured this place ...
— Old Junk • H. M. Tomlinson
... here hot-foot and breathless at a time when common prudence should have kept him in bed. Why? Because he knows that Dr. Bell has the other Rembrandt and will come to prove it, and because he knows that if he can steal the Littimer Rembrandt he can precipitate the very impasse that he has brought about. But he could not steal the picture because ...
— The Crimson Blind • Fred M. White
... with Hume, and his partiality for the writings of Bayle, are more probable sources of a change of sentiment which was in a way predestined by natural bias and cast of mind. Any occasion would serve to precipitate the result. In any case, this result had been attained some years before the publication of the first volume of the Decline and Fall, in 1776. Referring to his preparatory studies for the execution of that work, he says, "As ...
— Gibbon • James Cotter Morison
... about the table. Lee pinned down a map with the small objects upon the board, then leaned back in his chair. "This is our first council with General Jackson. We wait but for the Army of the Valley to precipitate certainly one great battle, perhaps many battles. I think that the fighting about Richmond will be heavier than all that has gone before." An aide entered noiselessly with a paper in his hand. "From the President, sir," he said. Lee rose and took the note ...
— The Long Roll • Mary Johnston
... so precipitate or uncharitable as to act strongly upon information such as this. Before she even said a word to Dorothy, she made further inquiry. She made very minute inquiry, writing even to her very old and intimate friend Mrs. Ellison, of Lessboro',—writing ...
— He Knew He Was Right • Anthony Trollope


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