precipitant

American  

[pri-sip-i-tuhnt] / prɪˈsɪp ɪ tənt /

adjective

1. falling headlong.

2. rushing headlong, rapidly, or hastily onward.

3. hasty; rash.

4. unduly sudden or abrupt.

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noun

1. Chemistry. anything that causes precipitation.

precipitant British  

/ prɪˈsɪpɪtənt /

adjective

1. hasty or impulsive; rash

2. rushing or falling rapidly or without heed

3. abrupt or sudden

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noun

1. chem a substance or agent that causes a precipitate to form

Other Word Forms

• precipitance
  noun
• precipitantly
  adverb
• unprecipitant
  adjective
• unprecipitantly
  adverb

Etymology

Origin of precipitant

1600–10; < Latin praecipitant- (stem of praecipitāns ), present participle of praecipitāre to cast down headlong. See precipitate, -ant

Explanation

A precipitant is a cause or reason for some event. So if you skip your Biology test on March 17th, your parents might deduce that your enjoyment of the St. Patrick's Day parade was a precipitant of your actions. See the pre in precipitant? Since pre means "before," you can remember that a precipitant always comes before something else. Precipitant can also mean "hasty" — a precipitant marriage is one where both parties marry too quickly. Not to be confused with percipient, meaning someone with unusual sensitivity and understanding of people and events. A percipient person would never skip his Biology test.

Example Sentences

Should he return, that troop so blithe and bold, With purple robes inwrought, and stiff with gold, Precipitant in fear would wing their flight, And curse their cumbrous pride's unwieldy weight.

From The Odyssey by Pope, Alexander

Then down at once, Precipitant, descends a mingled mass Of roaring winds, and flame, and rushing floods.

From Harper's New Monthly Magazine, Vol III, No 13, 1851 by Various

For it is written, “so Milton’s shadow fell Precipitant loud thundering into the sea of Time and Space.”

From William Blake A Study of His Life and Art Work by Langridge, Irene