Precipitate
(verb) To cause a substance to be deposited in solid form from a solution; to cause (an event or situation, typically one that is undesirable) to happen suddenly, unexpectedly, or prematurely; (noun) A substance precipitated from a solution.
In chemistry, it's a specific process of solid formation. In general usage, it implies a sudden, often negative, outcome.
Word relationships
- Cause: More general; 'precipitate' implies suddenness or a specific chemical process.
- Trigger: Similar to 'precipitate' in causing a sudden event, but lacks the chemical sense.
- Sediment: A solid material that settles out of a liquid, but not necessarily formed by a chemical reaction.
- Dissolve: To cause a solid to pass into a solution.
- Avert: To prevent an undesirable event from happening.
Word family
- precipitation (noun): The process of precipitating; rain, snow, or hail.
- precipitous (adjective): Dangerously high or steep; (of a change) sudden and dramatic.
Collocations
- precipitate a crisis
- precipitate out
- calcium precipitate
- white precipitate
Example sentences
- "Adding the silver nitrate solution caused a white solid, silver chloride, to precipitate from the mixture." A chemical reaction causing a solid to form.
- "The sudden collapse of the stock market helped to precipitate a global economic crisis." An event causing a sudden outcome.
Memory hook
Think of 'precipitate' as a solid 'falling down' or 'heading down' out of a solution, like something being thrown headlong. Falling headlong
When not to use
Do not use 'precipitate' (verb) if you mean to simply 'cause' something; it implies a suddenness or a specific chemical process.
Fun facts
- The same root 'praecipitare' also gives us the word 'precipice,' a very steep cliff.
- Precipitation reactions are commonly used in analytical chemistry to identify ions present in a solution.
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