Precipitate Meaning
/pɹɪˈsɪpɪteɪt/Definition, CEFR level C1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
verbTo make something happen suddenly and quickly.
verbTo throw an object or person from a great height.
Sentence Examples
The clouds thickened and it started to precipitate.
A sudden decline in stock prices could precipitate a financial crisis.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
None
CEFR Practice Quiz
The sudden drop in temperature will ____ the formation of ice on the road.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The sudden announcement could ____ a crisis if the markets react negatively to the news.
Word Origin & History
From Latin praecipitātus, perfect passive participle of praecipitō (“throw down, hurl down, throw headlong”) (see -ate (verb-forming suffix) for more), from praeceps (“head foremost, headlong”) (praecipit- in its oblique stem), from prae (“before”) + -ceps (“headed”).
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"if they be stout and daring, it may precipitate their designs, and prove dangerous"
— 1625, Francis [Bacon], “Of Ambition”, in The Essayes […], 3rd edition, London: […] Iohn Haviland for Hanna Barret, →OCLC:
"Freshly arrived in Paris in 1871 at the age of 17, Rimbaud proceded ^([sic]) to precipitate the collapse of Verlaine's marital menage, and with it his social position."
— 1979 December 29, Rudy Kikel, “Young Men”, in Gay Community News, volume 7, number 23, page 15:
"In gallopping heedlessly along, with her eyes turned upwards, she had unwarily approached too near the bank; it had given way with her, and she and her horse had been precipitated to the pebbled margin of the river."
— 1822 May 21, Geoffrey Crayon [pseudonym; Washington Irving], “Hawking”, in Bracebridge Hall, or The Humourists. A Medley. […], volume I, New York, N.Y.: […] C. S. Van Winkle, […], →OCLC, page 182:
"The light vapour of the preceding evening had been precipitated by the cold."
— 1819 June 23 – 1820 September 13, Geoffrey Crayon [pseudonym; Washington Irving], “(please specify the title)”, in The Sketch Book of Geoffrey Crayon, Gent., New York, N.Y.: […] C[ornelius] S. Van Winkle, […], →OCLC:
"When the full stores their ancient bounds disdain, / Precipitate the furious torrent flows."
— 1718, Matthew Prior, Solomon, book 2, lines 853–854:
Explore More C1 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The sudden drop in temperature will ____ the formation of ice on the road.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The sudden announcement could ____ a crisis if the markets react negatively to the news.