Words / C2

pri-SIP-it-ayt/prɪˈsɪpɪteɪt/

To precipitate (verb, /prɪˈsɪpɪteɪt/) is to make something happen suddenly, often too soon: precipitate a crisis, precipitate a row. Cause and trigger are everyday; hasten is to speed up. The adjective precipitate (/prɪˈsɪpɪtət/) means hasty — a different stress and a trap. Impetuous (already in the dictionary) is of people who rush. Do not precipitate a leak by circulating draft grades.

Meaning

To make something happen suddenly, often sooner than it should.

Examples

• “Do not precipitate a leak by circulating draft grades.”
• “Cause is everyday. Trigger is close. Hasten is speed up. The chemistry sense is to fall as rain or as a solid from a solution. Impetuous is rash of a person (already in C2). The adjective precipitate is hasty — check the stress. A dated release is a diary. A cc of drafts is how an embargo dies.”

Good to know

Bring on suddenly (verb). Everyday: trigger / hasten. Trap: adjective precipitate (hasty). Cousin: impetuous (of people — already in C2). A cc can be the leak.

Near in meaning

trigger

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