precipitate

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pre·cip·i·tate • v. / priˈsipəˌtāt/ [tr.] 1. cause (an event or situation, typically one that is bad or undesirable) to happen suddenly, unexpectedly, or prematurely: the incident precipitated a political crisis. ∎  [tr.] cause to move suddenly and with force: suddenly the ladder broke, precipitating them down into a heap. ∎  (precipitate someone/something 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. (usu. be precipitated) Chem. cause (a substance) to be deposited in solid form from a solution. ∎  cause (drops of moisture or particles of dust) to be deposited from the atmosphere or from a vapor or suspension.• adj. / priˈsipətət/ done, made, or acting suddenly or without careful consideration: I must apologize for my staff—their actions were precipitate. ∎  (of an event or situation) occurring suddenly or abruptly: a precipitate decline in cultural literacy.• n. / priˈsipətət; -əˌtāt/ Chem. a substance precipitated from a solution.DERIVATIVES: pre·cip·i·ta·ble / priˈsipətəbəl/ adj.pre·cip·i·tate·ly / priˈsipətətlē/ adv.pre·cip·i·tate·ness / priˈsipətətnəs/ n.

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