Emily Dickinson Lexicon

PRE-CIP-I-TA'TION, n. [L. præcipitatio.]

1. The act of throwing headlong. – Shak.
2. A falling, flowing or rushing down with violence and rapidity. The hurry, precipitation and rapid motion of the water. – Woodward.
3. Great hurry; rash, tumultuous haste; rapid movement. The precipitation of inexperience is often restrained by shame. – Rambler.
4. The act or operation of throwing to the bottom of a vessel any substance held in solution by its menstruum. Precipitation is often effected by a double elective attraction. – Encyc.