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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



... received and taken calomel, but that, having eaten a small piece of pickle shortly before, the conjunction of the vegetable acid with the calomel had formed, in the child's stomach, a precipitate of corrosive sublimate, from which ...
— Courts and Criminals • Arthur Train
... arbitrary imprisonment. "False imprisonment" resounded through the Court, and great confusion arose; the candles were put out by the audience, and such indignation was levelled at the mock judge, this jack-in-office, that Mr. Deputy and his companions took the prudent course of making a precipitate retreat, proving to a demonstration that a light pair of heels, upon such an emergency, is a very valuable appendage even to a deputy's deputy. The cry was to chair me to the Inn; I with a stentorian voice exclaimed "NO!" chair ...
— Memoirs of Henry Hunt, Esq. Volume 2 • Henry Hunt
... precipitate a quarrel. On the contrary, he had made up his mind to gain time if he could; at any rate, to put off the ultima ratio until evening, or until the next morning. Only in the last resort had he determined to fling off the mask. But at that word "coward," though he knew it to be well deserved, ...
— The Wild Geese • Stanley John Weyman
... knowledge to revive towards him all the affections of the most cordial moments of our lives. Changing a single word only in Dr. Franklin's character of him, I knew him to be always an honest man, often a great one, but sometimes incorrect and precipitate in his judgments: and it is known to those who have ever heard me speak of Mr. Adams, that I have ever done him justice myself, and defended him when assailed by others, with the single exception as to his political ...
— Memoir, Correspondence, And Miscellanies, From The Papers Of Thomas Jefferson - Volume I • Thomas Jefferson
... Experiment, Of changing a Milk white Precipitate of Mercury into a Yellow, by Affusion of fair Water, with several Considerations ...
— Experiments and Considerations Touching Colours (1664) • Robert Boyle


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