precipitant en · ADJ
Pronunciation
- /prɪˈsɪpɪt(ə)nt/ (Received-Pronunciation)
- /priˈsɪpətənt/ (General-American)
- /prə-/ (General-American)
- (General-American) audio
- [-ɾənt] (General-American)
Etymology
The adjective is borrowed from Middle French précipitant, Old French precipitant (“acting hastily, hasty, rash; acting, happening, or moving rapidly; pressing”) (modern French précipitant), and from their etymon Late Latin praecipitans (“hasty, rash”), an adjective use of Latin praecipitāns, the present participle of praecipitō (“to cast down; to throw headlong”), from praeceps (“head first, headlong; (figurative) hasty, rash”) (from prae (“before; in front”) (ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *preh₂- (“before; in front”)) + -ceps (suffix meaning ‘having a head with specified characteristics’) (ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *kap- (“a head”))). The adverb and noun are derived from the adjective.
Meanings
-
Inclined to make rapid decisions without due consideration; hasty, impulsive, rash.
She had good Qualities—is generous—noble—but has ſtrong Paſſions, and is thoughtleſs and precipitant.
1742, [Samuel Richardson], “Letter XXXIV”, in Pamela; Or, Virtue Rewarded. […], 3rd edition, volume IV, London: […] S[amuel] Richardson; and sold by J. Osborn, […]; and J[ohn] Rivington, […], →OCLC, page 224:[T]heſe dreams the præcipitant and unskilfull are forvvard to conceit to be Repreſentations extraordinary and ſupernatural, vvhich they call Revelations or Viſions, of vvhich there can be no certainty at all no more then of a Dream.
1656, Philophilus Parresiastes [pseudonym; Henry More], Enthusiasmus Triumphatus, or, A Discourse of the Nature, Causes, Kinds, and Cure, of Enthusiasme; […], London: […] J[ames] Flesher, and are to be sold by W[illiam] Morden […], →OCLC, paragraph 27, page 27:
-
Of a fall: straight downwards; headlong.
[H]eedleſs vvhile they [the birds] ſtrain / Their tuneful Throats, the tovv'ring, heavy Lead [i.e., bullets] / O'er-takes their Speed; they leave their little Lives / Above the clouds, præcipitant to Earth.
1708, [John Philips], “Book II”, in Cyder. […], London: […] J[acob] Tonson, […], →OCLC, page 59:[W]ithout further pauſe / Down right into the Worlds firſt Region throws / His flight precipitant, and windes with eaſe / Through the pure marble Air his oblique way / Amongſt innumerable Starrs, […]
1667, John Milton, “Book III”, in Paradise Lost. […], London: […] [Samuel Simmons], and are to be sold by Peter Parker […]; [a]nd by Robert Boulter […]; [a]nd Matthias Walker, […], →OCLC; republished as Paradise Lost in Ten Books: […], London: Basil Montagu Pickering […], 1873, →OCLC, lines 561–565:
-
(figuratively) Acting, happening, or moving quickly; fast, rapid, swift; also, abrupt, sudden, unexpected.
Shou'd he return, that troop ſo blithe and bold, / VVith purple robes invvrought, and ſtiff vvith gold, / Precipitant in fear, vvou'd vving their flight, / And curſe their cumbrous pride's unvvieldy vveight.
1725, Homer, “Book I”, in [Elijah Fenton], transl., The Odyssey of Homer. […], volume I, London: […] Bernard Lintot, →OCLC, page 26, lines 211–214:[W]ere the Aer copiouſly mixed vvith the Sap here, as in the Pith, Fruit, and other Parenchymous Parts; it vvould give ſo quick a Ferment to the Sap, as to dilate and amplify the Bladders of the Seed, beyond its preſent compact and durable Texture; and ſo expoſe it, either to a precipitant Grovvth, or ſudden Rot.
1676 November 19 (Gregorian calendar), Nehemiah Grew, “The Anatomy of Leaves, Flowers, Fruits and Seeds. […] The Fourth Book. Chapter V. Of the Use of the Attire.”, in The Anatomy of Plants. […], [London]: […] W. Rawlins, for the author, published 1682, →OCLC, part II (The Anatomy of Flowers, […]), page 172:
- That causes precipitation (“formation of a heavier solid in a lighter liquid as a result of a chemical reaction”).
Forms
| Spelling | Features | Labels | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| most precipitant | Degree=Sup | lexicographic | |
| more precipitant | Degree=Cmp | lexicographic |
Antonyms
subglacial · testudineous · languid · gastropodous · languorous · draggy · tedious · sluggish · labored · slow-moving · creeping · sullen · turtleish · steady · leaden · slow as a snail · turtlesque · unspeedy · dreich · slowfooted · slow · tardigrade · inert · stately · lumbering · slack · heavy-footed · crawling · slow as Christmas · low-speed · lead-footed · torpid · slow as molasses in January · ponderous · slow as molasses · plodding · inching · lethargic · slothlike · pokey · glacial · tardy
Deriveds
precipitantly · precipitance · precipitancy · precipitantness
Relateds
precipitously · precipitateness · precipice · precipitousness · precipitous · precipitation · precipitated · precipitate · precipitately
Synonyms
hectical · suddent · speedy · fleet · quick as a flash · express · spontaneous · fleeting · expeditious · impetuous · rapid · feverish · greased lightning · heedless · impetuous · impulsive · quick-and-dirty · spit-spot · precipitant · imprudent · hasty · precipitous · sudden · sudden · precipitous · subitaneous · precipitous · quicksome · reckless · fast · post haste · immediate · zippy · precipitant · precipitate · hyperactive · precipitate · hectic · quick · temeritous · rash · speedful · devil-may-care · lightning fast · precipitant · precipitate · hotheaded · tripsome · swift · nimble · headstrong · daring · cursory · heedless · abrupt
Translations (1)
fi saostava (that causes precipitation)