Real Dictionary

precipitate
A precipitate action or decision happens or is made more quickly or suddenly than most people think is sensible.
verb: If something precipitates an event or situation, usually a bad one, it causes it to happen suddenly or sooner than normal.

precipitate in American English
to throw headlong; hurl downward
adjective: headlong
intransitive verb: to fall to the earth's surface as a condensed form of water; to rain, snow, hail, drizzle, etc
noun: a substance precipitated from a solution
transitive verb: to hasten the occurrence of; bring about prematurely, hastily, or suddenly

precipitate in British English
adjective: rushing ahead
noun: a precipitated solid in its suspended form or after settling or filtering
verb: to cause to happen too soon or sooner than expected; bring on

precipitate in the Pharmaceutical Industry
Precipitate, or a precipitate, is a deposit of solid particles that have separated from a solution.