Chapter 1196

Precipitant <Xpage=1126>

Pre*cip"i*tant , n. (Chem.) Any force or reagent which causes the formation of a precipitate.

Precipitantly <Xpage=1126>

Pre*cip"i*tant*ly , adv. With rash or foolish haste; in headlong manner.

Milton.

Precipitantness <Xpage=1126>

Pre*cip"i*tant*ness , n. The quality or state of being precipitant; precipitation.

Precipitate <Xpage=1126>

Pre*cip"i*tate (?) , a. [L. praecipitatus , p. p. of praecipitare to precipitate, fr. praeceps headlong. See Precipice .] 1. Overhasty; rash; as, the king was too precipitate in declaring war .

Clarendon.

2. Lacking due deliberation or care; hurried; said or done before the time; as, a precipitate measure . "The rapidity of our too precipitate course."

Landor.

3. Falling, flowing, or rushing, with steep descent; headlong.

Precipitate the furious torrent flows. Prior.

4. Ending quickly in death; brief and fatal; as, a precipitate case of disease . [Obs.]

Arbuthnot.

Precipitate <Xpage=1126>

Pre*cip"i*tate (?) , n. [NL. praecipitatum : cf. F. pr\'82cipit\'82 .] (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 .

Precipitate <Xpage=1126>

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.

Precipitate <Xpage=1126>

Pre*cip"i*tate , v. i. 1. To dash or fall headlong. [R.]

So many fathom down precipitating . Shak.

2. To hasten without preparation. [R.]

3. (Chem.) To separate from a solution as a precipitate. See Precipitate , n.

Precipitately <Xpage=1126>

Pre*cip"i*tate*ly (?) , adv. In a precipitate manner; headlong; hastily; rashly.

Swift.

Precipitation <Xpage=1126>

Pre*cip`i*ta"tion (?) , n. [L. praecipitatio : cf. F. pr\'82cipitation .] 1. The act of precipitating, or the state of being precipitated, or thrown headlong.

In peril of precipitation From off rock Tarpeian. Shak.

2. A falling, flowing, or rushing downward with violence and rapidity.

The hurry, precipitation , and rapid motion of the water, returning . . . towards the sea. Woodward.

3. Great hurry; rash, tumultuous haste; impetuosity. "The precipitation of inexperience."

Rambler.

4. (Chem.) The act or process from a solution.

Precipitator <Xpage=1126>

Pre*cip"i*ta`tor (?) , n. [L. praecipitator an overthrower.] One who precipitates, or urges on with vehemence or rashness.

Hammond.

Precipitious <Xpage=1126>

Prec`i*pi"tious (?) , a. Precipitous. [Obs.] -- Prec`i*pi"tious*ly , adv. [Obs.]

Dr. H. More.

Precipitous <Xpage=1126>

Pre*cip"i*tous (?) , a. [L. praeceps , -cipitis : cf. OF. precipiteux . See Precipice .] 1. Steep, like a precipice; as, a precipitous cliff or mountain .

2. Headlong; as, precipitous fall .

3. Hasty; rash; quick; sudden; precipitate; as, precipitous attempts . Sir T. Browne . "Marian's low, precipitous \'bfHush!'"

Mrs. Browning.

-- Pre*cip"i*tous*ly , adv. -- Pre*cip"i*tous*ness , n.

Pr</cis <Xpage=1126>

Pr<?/`cis" (?) , n. [F. See Precise .] A concise or abridged statement or view; an abstract; a summary.

Precise <Xpage=1126>

Pre*cise" (?) , a. [L. praecisus cut off, brief, concise, p. p. of praecidere to cut off in front, to cut off; prae before + caedere to cut: cf. F. pr\'82cis . Cf. Concise .] 1. Having determinate limitations; exactly or sharply defined or stated; definite; exact; nice; not vague or equivocal; as, precise rules of morality .

The law in this point is not precise . Bacon.

For the hour precise Exacts our parting hence. Milton.

2. Strictly adhering or conforming to rule; very nice or exact; punctilious in conduct or ceremony; formal; ceremonious.

Addison.

He was ever precise in promise-keeping. Shak.

Syn. -- Accurate; exact; definite; correct; scrupulous; punctilious; particular; nice; formal. See Accurate .

-- Pre*cise"ly , adv. -- Pre*cise"ness , n.

Precisian <Xpage=1126>

Pre*ci"sian (?) , n. 1. One who limits, or restrains. [Obs.]

2. An overprecise person; one rigidly or ceremoniously exact in the observance of rules; a formalist; -- formerly applied to the English Puritans.

The most dissolute cavaliers stood aghast at the dissoluteness of the emancipated precisian . Macaulay.

Precisianism <Xpage=1126>

Pre*ci"sian*ism (?) , n. The quality or state of being a precisian; the practice of a precisian.

Milton.

Precisianist <Xpage=1126>

Pre*ci"sian*ist , n. A precisian.

Precision <Xpage=1126>

Pre*ci"sion (?) , n. [Cf. F. pr\'82cision , L. praecisio a cutting off. See Precise .] The quality or state of being precise; exact limitation; exactness; accuracy; strict conformity to a rule or a standard; definiteness.

I have left out the utmost precisions of fractions. Locke.

Syn. -- Preciseness; exactness; accuracy; nicety. -- Precision , Preciseness . Precision is always used in a good sense; as, precision of thought or language; precision in military evolutions . Preciseness is sometimes applied to persons or their conduct in a disparaging sense, and precise is often used in the same way.

Precisive <Xpage=1126>

Pre*ci"sive (?) , a. Cutting off; (Logic) exactly limiting by cutting off all that is not absolutely relative to the purpose; as, precisive censure; precisive abstraction.

I. Watts.

<page="1127"> Page 1127

Preclude <Xpage=1127>

Pre*clude" (?) , v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Precluded ; p. pr. & vb. n. Precluding .] [L. praecludere , praeclusum ; prae before + claudere to shut. See Close , v. ] 1. To put a barrier before; hence, to shut out; to hinder; to stop; to impede.

The valves preclude the blood from entering the veins. E. Darwin.

2. To shut out by anticipative action; to prevent or hinder by necessary consequence or implication; to deter action of, access to, employment of, etc.; to render ineffectual; to obviate by anticipation.

This much will obviate and preclude the objections. Bentley.

Preclusion <Xpage=1127>

Pre*clu"sion (?) , n. [L. praeclusio . See Preclude .] The act of precluding, or the state of being precluded; a shutting out.

Preclusive <Xpage=1127>

Pre*clu"sive (?) , a. Shutting out; precluding, or tending to preclude; hindering. -- Pre*clu"sive*ly , adv.

Precoce <Xpage=1127>

Pre*coce" (?) , a. [F. pr\'82coce .] Precocious. [Obs.]

Precoces <Xpage=1127>

Pre"co*ces , n. pl. [NL.] (Zo\'94l.) Same as Pr\'91coces .

Precocious <Xpage=1127>

Pre*co"cious (?) , a. [L. praecox , -ocis , and praecoquus , fr. praecoquere to cook or ripen beforehand; prae before + coquere to cook. See 3d Cook , and cf. Apricot .] 1. Ripe or mature before the proper or natural time; early or prematurely ripe or developed; as, precocious trees . [R.]

Sir T. Browne.

2. Developed more than is natural or usual at a given age; exceeding what is to be expected of one's years; too forward; -- used especially of mental forwardness; as, a precocious child; precocious talents.

Precociously <Xpage=1127>

Pre*co"cious*ly , adv. In a precocious manner.

Precociousness, Precocity <Xpage=1127>

Pre*co"cious*ness , Pre*coc"i*ty (?) , n. [Cf. F. pr\'82cocit\'82 .] The quality or state of being precocious; untimely ripeness; premature development, especially of the mental powers; forwardness.

Saucy precociousness in learning. Bp. Mannyngham.

That precocity which sometimes distinguishes uncommon genius. Wirt.

Precoetanean <Xpage=1127>

Pre*co`e*ta"ne*an (?) , n. One contemporary with, but older than, another. [Obs.]

Fuller.

Precogitate <Xpage=1127>

Pre*cog"i*tate (?) , v. t. [L. praecogitatus , p. p. of praecogitare . See Pre- , and Cogitate .] To cogitate beforehand. [R.]

Sherwood.

Precogita/tion <Xpage=1127>

Pre*cog`i*ta/tion (?) , n. [L. praecogitatio .] Previous cogitation. [R.]

Bailey.

Precognition <Xpage=1127>

Pre`cog*ni"tion (?) , n. [L. praecognitio , fr. praecognoscere to foreknow. See Pre- , and Cognition .] 1. Previous cognition.

Fotherby.

2. (Scots Law) A preliminary examination of a criminal case with reference to a prosecution.

Erskine.

Precognizable <Xpage=1127>

Pre*cog"ni*za*ble (?) , a. Cognizable beforehand.

Precognosce <Xpage=1127>

Pre*cog"nosce (?) , v. t. [L. praecognoscere to foreknow.] (Scots Law) To examine beforehand, as witnesses or evidence.

A committee of nine precognoscing the chances. Masson.

Precollection <Xpage=1127>

Pre`col*lec"tion (?) , n. A collection previously made. [R.]

Precompose <Xpage=1127>

Pre`com*pose" (?) , v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Precomposed (?) ; p. pr. & vb. n. Precomposing .] To compose beforehand.

Johnson.

Preconceit <Xpage=1127>

Pre`con*ceit" (?) , n. An opinion or notion formed beforehand; a preconception.

Hooker.

Preconceive <Xpage=1127>

Pre`con*ceive" (?) , v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Preconceived (?) ; p. pr. & vb. n. Preconceiving .] To conceive, or form an opinion of, beforehand; to form a previous notion or idea of.

In a dead plain the way seemeth the longer, because the eye hath preconceived it shorter than the truth. Bacon.

Preconception <Xpage=1127>

Pre`con*cep"tion (?) , n. The act of preconceiving; conception or opinion previously formed.

Preconcert <Xpage=1127>

Pre`con*cert" (?) , v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Preconcerted ; p. pr. & vb. n. Preconcerting .] To concert or arrange beforehand; to settle by previous agreement.

Preconcert <Xpage=1127>

Pre*con"cert (?) , n. Something concerted or arranged beforehand; a previous agreement.

Preconcerted <Xpage=1127>

Pre`con*cert"ed (?) , a. Previously arranged; agreed upon beforehand. -- Pre`con*cert"ed*ly , adv. -- Pre`con*cert"ed*ness , n.

Preconcertion <Xpage=1127>

Pre`con*cer"tion (?) , n. The act of preconcerting; preconcert.

Dr. T. Dwight.

Precondemn <Xpage=1127>

Pre`con*demn` (?) , v. t. To condemn beforehand. -- Pre*con`dem*na"tion (#) , n.

Precondition <Xpage=1127>

Pre`con*di"tion (?) , n. A previous or antecedent condition; a preliminary condition.

Preconform <Xpage=1127>

Pre`con*form" (?) , v. t. & i. To conform by way anticipation.

De Quincey.

Preconformity <Xpage=1127>

Pre`con*form"i*ty (?) , n. Anticipative or antecedent conformity.

Coleridge.

Preconizate <Xpage=1127>

Pre*con"i*zate (?) , v. t. [Cf. F. pr\'82coniser .] To proclaim; to publish; also, to summon; to call. [Obs.]

Bp. Burnet.

Preconization <Xpage=1127>

Pre*con`i*za"tion (?) , n. [L. praeconium a crying out in public, fr. praeco , -onis , a crier, a herald: cf. F. pr\'82conisation .] 1. A publishing by proclamation; a public proclamation.

Bp. Hall.

2. (Eccl.) A formal approbation by the pope of a person nominated to an ecclesiastical dignity.

Addis & Arnold.

Preconize <Xpage=1127>

Pre"con*ize (?) , v. t. (Eccl.) To approve by preconization.

Preconquer <Xpage=1127>

Pre*con"quer (?) , v. t. To conquer in anticipation. [R.]

Fuller.

Preconscious <Xpage=1127>

Pre*con""scious (?) , a. Of or pertaining to a state before consciousness.

Preconsent <Xpage=1127>

Pre`con*sent" (?) , n. A previous consent.

Preconsign <Xpage=1127>

Pre`con*sign" (?) , v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Preconsigned (?) ; p. pr. & vb. n. Preconsigning .] To consign beforehand; to make a previous consignment of.

Preconsolidated <Xpage=1127>

Pre`con*sol"i*da`ted (?) , a. Consolidated beforehand.

Preconstitute <Xpage=1127>

Pre*con"sti*tute (?) , v. t. To constitute or establish beforehand.

Precontract <Xpage=1127>

Pre`con*tract" (?) , v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Precontracted ; p. pr. & vb. n. Precontracting .] To contract, engage, or stipulate previously.

Precontract <Xpage=1127>

Pre`con*tract" (?) , v. i. To make a previous contract or agreement.

Ayliffe.

Precontract <Xpage=1127>

Pre*con"tract (?) , n. A contract preceding another ; especially (Law) , a contract of marriage which, according to the ancient law, rendered void a subsequent marriage solemnized in violation of it.

Abbott.

Precontrive <Xpage=1127>

Pre`con*trive" (?) , v. t. & i. To contrive or plan beforehand.

Precoracoid <Xpage=1127>

Pre*cor"a*coid (?) , n. (Anat.) The anterior part of the coracoid (often closely united with the clavicle) in the shoulder girdle of many reptiles and amphibians.

Precordial <Xpage=1127>

Pre*cor"di*al (?) , a. [Pref. pre- + L. cor , cordis , heart: cf. F. pr\'82cordial .] (Anat.) Situated in front of the heart; of or pertaining to the pr\'91cordia.

Precrural <Xpage=1127>

Pre*cru"ral (?) , a. (Anat.) Situated in front of the leg or thigh; as, the precrural glands of the horse .

Precurrer <Xpage=1127>

Pre*cur"rer (?) , n. A precursor. [Obs.]

Shak.

Precurse <Xpage=1127>

Pre*curse" (?) , n. [L. praecursus .] A forerunning. [Obs.]

Shak.

Precursive <Xpage=1127>

Pre*cur"sive (?) , a. Preceding; introductory; precursory. "A deep precursive sound."

Coleridge.

Precursor <Xpage=1127>

Pre*cur"sor (?) , n. [L. praecursor , fr. praecurrere to run before; prae before + currere to run. See Course .] One who, or that which, precedes an event, and indicates its approach; a forerunner; a harbinger.

Evil thoughts are the invisible, airy precursors of all the storms and tempests of the soul. Buckminster.

Syn. -- Predecessor; forerunner; harbinger; messenger; omen; sign.

Precursorship <Xpage=1127>

Pre*cur"sor*ship , n. The position or condition of a precursor.

Ruskin.

Precursory <Xpage=1127>

Pre*cur"so*ry (?) , a. [L. praecursorius .] Preceding as a precursor or harbinger; indicating something to follow; as, precursory symptoms of a fever .

Precursory <Xpage=1127>

Pre*cur"so*ry , n. An introduction. [Obs.]

Predacean <Xpage=1127>

Pre*da"cean (?) , n. [L. praeda prey.] (Zo\'94l.) A carnivorous animal.

Kirby.

Predaceous <Xpage=1127>

Pre*da"ceous (?) , a. [L. praeda prey. See Prey .] Living by prey; predatory.

Derham.

Predal <Xpage=1127>

Pre"dal (?) , a. [L. praeda prey.] Of or pertaining to prey; plundering; predatory. [R.]

Boyse.

Predate <Xpage=1127>

Pre*date" (?) , v. t. To date anticipation; to affix to (a document) an earlier than the actual date; to antedate; as, a predated deed or letter .

Predation <Xpage=1127>

Pre*da"tion (?) , n. [L. praedatio , fr. praedari to plunder.] The act of pillaging.

E. Hall.

Predatorily <Xpage=1127>

Pred"a*to*ri*ly (?) , adv. In a predatory manner.

Predatory <Xpage=1127>

Pred"a*to*ry (?) , a. [L. praedatorius , fr. praedari to plunder, fr. praeda prey. See Prey .] 1. Characterized by plundering; practicing rapine; plundering; pillaging; as, a predatory excursion; a predatory party. "A predatory war."

Macaulay.

2. Hungry; ravenous; as, predatory spirits . [Obs.]

Exercise . . . maketh the spirits more hot and predatory . Bacon.