Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Precipitate \Pre*cip"i*tate\, n. [NL. praecipitatum: cf. F.
   pr['e]cipit['e].]
   1. (Chem.) 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.

   {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}.

Precipitate \Pre*cip"i*tate\, v. i.
   1. To dash or fall headlong. [R.]

            So many fathom down precipitating.    --Shak.

   2. To hasten without preparation. [R.]

   3. (Chem.) To separate from a solution as a precipitate. See
      {Precipitate}, n.

Precipitate \Pre*cip"i*tate\, a. [L. praecipitatus, p. p. of
   praecipitare to precipitate, fr. praeceps headlong. See
   {Precipice}.]
   1. Overhasty; rash; as, the king was too precipitate in
      declaring war. --Clarendon.

   2. Lacking due deliberation or care; hurried; said or done
      before the time; as, a precipitate measure. ``The rapidity
      of our too precipitate course.'' --Landor.

   3. Falling, flowing, or rushing, with steep descent;
      headlong.

            Precipitate the furious torrent flows. --Prior.

   4. Ending quickly in death; brief and fatal; as, a
      precipitate case of disease. [Obs.] --Arbuthnot.

Precipitate \Pre*cip"i*tate\, v. t. [imp. & p. p.
   {Precipitated}; p. pr. & vb. n. {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.          --W. Irving.

   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. --Glover.

            If they be daring, it may precipitate their designs,
            and prove dangerous.                  --Bacon.

   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.             --W. Irving.

Source : WordNet®

precipitate
     n : a precipitated solid substance in suspension or after
         settling or filtering

precipitate
     v 1: separate as a fine suspension of solid particles
     2: bring about abruptly; "The crisis precipitated by Russia's
        revolution"
     3: fall from clouds; "rain, snow and sleet were falling";
        "Vesuvius precipitated its fiery, destructive rage on
        Herculaneum" [syn: {come down}, {fall}]
     4: fall vertically, sharply, or headlong; "Our economy
        precipitated into complete ruin"
     5: hurl or throw violently; "The bridge broke and precipitated
        the train into the river below"

precipitate
     adj : done with very great haste and without due deliberation;
           "hasty marriage seldom proveth well"- Shakespeare;
           "hasty makeshifts take the place of planning"- Arthur
           Geddes; "rejected what was regarded as an overhasty
           plan for reconversion"; "wondered whether they had been
           rather precipitate in deposing the king" [syn: {hasty},
            {overhasty}, {precipitant}, {precipitous}]