precipitate
Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English 5++LDOCE 5++pre·cip·i·tate1 /prɪˈsɪpɪteɪt/ verb 1 [transitive] formalCAUSE to make something serious happen suddenly or more quickly than was expected 促成，加速 SYN hasten The riot was precipitated when four black men were arrested. 这场骚乱是因为四名黑人男子的被捕而突然引发的。► see thesaurus at cause2. [intransitive, transitive + out] technicalHC to separate a solid substance from a liquid by chemical action, or to be separated in this way （使）沉淀，（使）淀析3 precipitate somebody into something phrasal verb formal to force someone or something into a particular state or condition 使陷入〔某种状态〕 The drug treatment precipitated him into a depression. 药物治疗使他陷入抑郁。→ See Verb table
Examples from the Corpus
precipitate• Both countries claimed the same area, precipitating a border war.• For this reason, an increase in population density often precipitates a round of emigration.• An attack on the country could precipitate a world war.• Butsy was sixteen and aware that the trip had been precipitated by a crisis.• What world historical events were precipitated by incidents that occurred then?• Tetany may be triggered by hyperventilation or precipitated by vomiting or by pregnancy and lactation.• Thus differences in 18 O/ 16 O ratio may be expected between water and calcite precipitating from it.• The 1929 stock market crash precipitated the collapse of the American banking system.• Ironically, in view of what had happened fifty years earlier, it was now the School's success which precipitated the next crisis.• Some 592 people had been injured in the police attack on student demonstrators, which precipitated the November revolution.pre·cip·i·tate2 /prəˈsɪpətət/ noun [countable] 1.technicalHC a solid substance that has been chemically separated from a liquid 沉淀物Examples from the Corpus
precipitate• I producing fixed capital, there would be a precipitate decline in those sectors.• Sedimentary rocks show stratification and form by settling of erosional debris and chemical precipitates.• This inhibition is caused by the formation of insoluble precipitates of calcium, phosphate, and bile acid micelles.• When the solution becomes turbid the mixture is warmed until the precipitate dissolves.precipitate3 adjective formal 1 HURRYhappening or done too quickly, and not thought about carefully 仓促的，贸然的，轻率的 SYN hasty a precipitate decision 草率的决定 —precipitately adverbExamples from the Corpus
precipitate• I have much sympathy with those who warn against precipitate novelty in the food industry.Origin precipitate1 (1500-1600) Latin past participle of praecipitare, from praeceps; → PRECIPICE suddenly serious Corpus quickly more or happen to make something
precipitate
pre‧cip‧i‧tate1 /prəˈsɪpəteɪt, prɪˈsɪpəteɪt/ 
verb1. [transitive] formal to make something serious happen suddenly or more quickly than was expected
SYN hasten:
The riot was precipitated when four black men were arrested.
2. [I, T + out] technical to separate a solid substance from a liquid by chemical action, or to be separated in this way
precipitate somebody into something phrasal verb formal
to force someone or something into a particular state or condition:
The drug treatment precipitated him into a depression.
▪ cause to make something happen, especially something bad: Bad weather has caused a lot of problems on the roads. | The fault caused the whole computer system to shut down.
▪make somebody/something do something to cause someone to do something, or cause something to happen. Make is less formal than cause, and is the usual word to use in everyday English: What made you decide to become a teacher? | I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to make you cry. | Gravity is the force which makes the planets move round the Sun.
▪be responsible for something if someone or something is responsible for something bad, they caused it to happen: The excessive heat was responsible for their deaths. | A small militant group was responsible for the bombing.
▪bring about something to make something happen – used especially about changes or improvements: The Internet has brought about enormous changes in society. | It’s important that we do everything we can to bring about peace.
▪result in something if an action or event results in something, it makes that thing happen: The fire resulted in the deaths of two children. | The decision is likely to result in a large number of job losses.
▪lead to something to cause something to happen eventually after a period of time: The information led to several arrests. | A poor diet in childhood can lead to health problems later in life.
▪trigger if one event triggers another, it suddenly makes the second event happen: The incident triggered a wave of violence. | An earthquake off Java’s southern coast triggered a tsunami.
▪precipitate formal to make a very serious event happen very suddenly, which will affect a lot of people: The withdrawal of foreign investment would precipitate an economic crisis. | The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand precipitated World War I.
pre‧cip‧i‧tate2 /prəˈsɪpətət, prɪˈsɪpətət/ noun [countable]
technical a solid substance that has been chemically separated from a liquid
precipitate3 adjective formal
happening or done too quickly, and not thought about carefully
SYN hasty:
a precipitate decision
—precipitately adverb
| I |
verb1. [transitive] formal to make something serious happen suddenly or more quickly than was expected SYN hasten:
2. [I, T + out] technical to separate a solid substance from a liquid by chemical action, or to be separated in this way
precipitate somebody into something phrasal verb formal
to force someone or something into a particular state or condition:
| THESAURUS |
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| II |
noun [countable]technical a solid substance that has been chemically separated from a liquid
| III |
adjective formalhappening or done too quickly, and not thought about carefully
SYN hasty:
—precipitately adverb