Precipitate the furious torrent flows.
Prior.
4. Ending quickly in death; brief and fatal; as, a precipitate case of
disease. [Obs.] Arbuthnot.
Pre*cip"i*tate (?), n. [NL. praecipitatum: cf. F. prÈcipitÈ.] 1.
(Chem.) An insoluble substance separated from a solution in a concrete
state by the action of some reagent added to the solution, or of some
force, such as heat or cold. The precipitate may fall to the bottom
(whence the name), may be diffused through the solution, or may float
at or near the surface.
Red precipitate (Old. Chem), mercuric oxide (HgO) a heavy red
crystalline powder obtained by heating mercuric nitrate, or by heating
mercury in the air. Prepared in the latter manner, it was the
precipitate per se of the alchemists. -- White precipitate (Old Chem.)
(a) A heavy white amorphous powder (NH2.HgCl) obtained by adding
ammonia to a solution of mercuric chloride or corrosive sublimate; --
formerly called also infusible white precipitate, and now
amido-mercuric chloride. (b) A white crystalline substance obtained by
adding a solution of corrosive sublimate to a solution of sal ammoniac
(ammonium chloride); -- formerly called also fusible white precipitate.
Pre*cip"i*tate (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Precipitated (?); p. pr. & vb.
n. Precipitating.] 1. To throw headlong; to cast down from a precipice
or height.
She and her horse had been precipitated to the pebbled region of
the river.
W. Irving.
2. To urge or press on with eager haste or violence; to cause to
happen, or come to a crisis, suddenly or too soon; as, precipitate a
journey, or a conflict.
Back to his sight precipitates her steps.
Glover.
If they be daring, it may precipitate their designs, and prove
dangerous.
Bacon.
3. (Chem.) To separate from a solution, or other medium, in the form of
a precipitate; as, water precipitates camphor when in solution with
alcohol.
The light vapor of the preceding evening had been precipitated by
the cold.
W. Irving.