Precipitates

Part of speech: verb

Definitions

1. To cause something to happen quickly or before expected ; to cause a substance to separate from a solution as solid particles
2. To bring about an event or condition suddenly or early ; to produce a solid that forms and separates from a liquid mixture
3. To trigger an outcome abruptly or ahead of time ; to create solid particles that settle out from a liquid solution

Etymology: "Precipitates" is the plural of "precipitate," and the verb's sense of falling and hurrying carries through from its root. The Latin "praecipitare" meant to throw down or hurl headlong, formed from "praeceps," "head foremost," which combines "prae," "before," with "-ceps," "headed." The chemical sense grows from that same image of falling. The New Latin "praecipitatum" named the substance that drops out of a liquid mixture, and English took that sense, so a solid that separates from a solution literally falls out of it. The sense of events being brought on suddenly comes from the same headlong motion.

Synonyms: causes, brings about, results in, produces, instigates

Antonyms: hinders, prevents, stops, delays, pauses