Definition: Precipitation
From New World Encyclopedia
Etymology
From Middle French précipitation, from Latin praecipitÄtiÅ, praecipitÄtiÅnem.
Noun
precipitation (countable and uncountable, plural precipitations)
- (meteorology) Any or all of the forms of water particles, whether liquid or solid, that fall from the upper atmosphere (e.g., rain, hail, snow, or sleet). It is a major class of hydrometeor, but it is distinguished from cloud, fog, dew, rime, frost, etc., in that it must fall. It is distinguished from cloud and virga in that it must reach the ground.
- A hurried headlong fall.
- ((countable, uncountable, chemistry) A reaction that leads to the formation of a heavier solid in a lighter liquid; the precipitate so formed at the bottom of the container.
- (figuratively) Unwise or rash rapidity; sudden haste.
Derived terms
- precip
- precipitation reaction
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