*preci*

a. Appreciative. [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Appreciated; p. pr. & vb. n. Appreciating. ] [ L. appretiatus, p. p. of appretiare to value at a price, appraise; ad + pretiare to prize, pretium price. Cf. Appraise. ] 1. To set a price or value on; to estimate justly; to value. [ 1913 Webster ]

To appreciate the motives of their enemies. Gibbon. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. To raise the value of; to increase the market price of; -- opposed to depreciate. [ U.S. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

Lest a sudden peace should appreciate the money. Ramsay. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. To be sensible of; to distinguish. [ 1913 Webster ]

To test the power of bees to appreciate color. Lubbock. [ 1913 Webster ]

Syn. -- To Appreciate, Estimate, Esteem. Estimate is an act of judgment; esteem is an act of valuing or prizing, and when applied to individuals, denotes a sentiment of moral approbation. See Estimate. Appreciate lies between the two. As compared with estimate, it supposes a union of sensibility with judgment, producing a nice and delicate perception. As compared with esteem, it denotes a valuation of things according to their appropriate and distinctive excellence, and not simply their moral worth. Thus, with reference to the former of these (delicate perception), an able writer says. “Women have a truer appreciation of character than men;” and another remarks, “It is difficult to appreciate the true force and distinctive sense of terms which we are every day using.” So, also, we speak of the difference between two things, as sometimes hardly appreciable. With reference to the latter of these (that of valuation as the result of a nice perception), we say, “It requires a peculiar cast of character to appreciate the poetry of Wordsworth;” “He who has no delicacy himself, can not appreciate it in others;” “The thought of death is salutary, because it leads us to appreciate worldly things aright.” Appreciate is much used in cases where something is in danger of being overlooked or undervalued; as when we speak of appreciating the difficulties of a subject, or the risk of an undertaking. So Lord Plunket, referring to an “ominous silence” which prevailed among the Irish peasantry, says, “If you knew how to appreciate that silence, it is more formidable than the most clamorous opposition.” In like manner, a person who asks some favor of another is apt to say, “I trust you will appreciate my motives in this request.” Here we have the key to a very frequent use of the word. It is hardly necessary to say that appreciate looks on the favorable side of things. we never speak of appreciating a man's faults, but his merits. This idea of regarding things favorably appears more fully in the word appreciative; as when we speak of an appreciative audience, or an appreciative review, meaning one that manifests a quick perception and a ready valuation of excellence. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. To rise in value. [ See note under Rise, v. i. ] J. Morse. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. In an appreciating manner; with appreciation. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Cf. F. appréciation. ] 1. A just valuation or estimate of merit, worth, weight, etc.; recognition of excellence. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Accurate perception; true estimation; as, an appreciation of the difficulties before us; an appreciation of colors. [ 1913 Webster ]

His foreboding showed his appreciation of Henry's character. J. R. Green. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. A rise in value; -- opposed to depreciation. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Having or showing a just or ready appreciation or perception; as, an appreciative audience. -- Ap*pre"ci*a*tive*ly, adv. [1913 Webster]

n. The quality of being appreciative; quick recognition of excellence. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. One who appreciates. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Showing appreciation; appreciative; as, appreciatory commendation. -- Ap*pre"ci*a*to*ri*ly adv. [1913 Webster]

v. i. To fall in value; to become of less worth; to sink in estimation; as, a paper currency will depreciate, unless it is convertible into specie. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Depreciated p. pr. & vb. n. Depreciating ] [ L. depretiatus, depreciatus, p. p. of depretiare, -ciare, to depreciate; de- + pretiare to prize, fr. pretium price. See Price. ] To lessen in price or estimated value; to lower the worth of; to represent as of little value or claim to esteem; to undervalue. Addison. [ 1913 Webster ]

Which . . . some over-severe philosophers may look upon fastidiously, or undervalue and depreciate. Cudworth. [ 1913 Webster ]

To prove that the Americans ought not to be free, we are obliged to depreciate the value of freedom itself. Burke.

Syn. -- To decry; disparage; traduce; lower; detract; underrate. See Decry. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Cf. F. dépréciation. ] 1. The act of lessening, or seeking to lessen, price, value, or reputation. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. The falling of value; reduction of worth. Burke. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. the state of being depreciated. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Tending, or intended, to depreciate; expressing depreciation; undervaluing. -- De*pre"ci*a`tive*ly, adv. [1913 Webster]

n. [ L. ] One who depreciates. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Tending to depreciate; undervaluing; depreciative.
Syn. -- belittling, depreciative, deprecatory, depreciatory, derogatory, detractive, detracting, slighting, pejorative, denigratory. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ See Appreciate. ] To undervalue; not to esteem. -- Dis`ap*pre`ci*a"tion n. [1913 Webster]

n. Lack of precision. [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ Pref. in- not + appreciable: cf. F. inappréciable. ] Not appreciable; too small to be perceived; incapable of being duly valued or estimated. Hallam. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. Lack of appreciation. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Improperly appreciated. [ 1913 Webster ]

‖ n. An affected woman of polite society, esp. one of the literary women of the French salons of the 17th century. See aslo preciosity. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

n. [ LL. praecinctum, fr. L. praecingere, praecinctum, to gird about, to encompass; prae before + cingere to gird, surround. See Pre-, and Cincture. ] 1. The limit or exterior line encompassing a place; a boundary; a confine; limit of jurisdiction or authority; -- often in the plural; as, the precincts of a state. “The precincts of light.” Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A district within certain boundaries; a minor territorial or jurisdictional division; as, an election precinct; a school precinct. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. A parish or prescribed territory attached to a church, and taxed for its support. [ U.S. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

The parish, or precinct, shall proceed to a new choice. Laws of Massachusetts. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. Preciousness; something precious. [ Obs. ] Sir T. Browne. [ 1913 Webster ]

n.; pl. -ties /plu>. [ F. préciosité, OF. also precieuseté. ] Fastidious refinement, esp. in language; specif., the affected purism and sententiousness characteristic of the French précieuses of the 17th century.

He had the fastidiousness, the preciosity, the love of archaisms, of your true decadent. L. Douglas. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

a. [ OF. precious, precius, precios, F. précieux, L. pretiosus, fr. pretium price, worth, value. See Price. ] 1. Of great price; costly; as, a precious stone. “The precious bane.” Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Of great value or worth; very valuable; highly esteemed; dear; beloved; as, precious recollections. [ 1913 Webster ]

She is more precious than rules. Prov. iii. 15. [ 1913 Webster ]

Many things which are most precious are neglected only because the value of them lieth hid. Hooker. [ 1913 Webster ]

Also used ironically; as, a precious rascal. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Particular; fastidious; overnice; overrefined. Cf. Précieuse, Preciosity. [ 1913 Webster ]

Lest that precious folk be with me wroth. Chaucer. [ 1913 Webster ]

Elaborate embroidery of precious language. Saintsbury. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

Precious metals, the uncommon and highly valuable metals, esp. gold and silver. --
Precious stones, gems; jewels. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. In a precious manner; expensively; extremely; dearly. Also used ironically. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The quality or state of being precious; costliness; dearness. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. (Law) See Præcipe, and Precept. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ F. précipice, L. praecipitium, fr. praeceps, -cipitis, headlong; prae before + caput, capitis, the head. See Pre-, and Chief. ] 1. A sudden or headlong fall. [ Obs. ] Fuller. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A headlong steep; a very steep, perpendicular, or overhanging place; an abrupt declivity; a cliff. [ 1913 Webster ]

Where wealth like fruit on precipices grew. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ L. praecipiens, p. pr. See Precept. ] Commanding; directing. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The quality or state of being precipitable. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Capable of being precipitated, or cast to the bottom, as a substance in solution. See Precipitate, n. (Chem.) [ 1913 Webster ]

{ } n. [ From Precipitant. ] The quality or state of being precipitant, or precipitate; headlong hurry; excessive or rash haste in resolving, forming an opinion, or executing a purpose; precipitation; as, the precipitancy of youth. “Precipitance of judgment.” I. Watts. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ L. praecipitans, -antis, p. pr. of praecipitare: cf. F. précipitant. See Precipitate. ] 1. Falling or rushing headlong; rushing swiftly, violently, or recklessly; moving precipitately. [ 1913 Webster ]

They leave their little lives
Above the clouds, precipitant to earth. J. Philips. [ 1913 Webster ]

Should he return, that troop so blithe and bold,
Precipitant in fear would wing their flight. Pope. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Unexpectedly or foolishly brought on or hastened; rashly hurried; hasty; sudden; reckless. Jer. Taylor. “Precipitant rebellion.” Eikon Basilike. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. (Chem.) Any force or reagent which causes the formation of a precipitate. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. With rash or foolish haste; in headlong manner. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The quality or state of being precipitant; precipitation. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Falling, flowing, or rushing, with steep descent; headlong. [ 1913 Webster ]

Precipitate the furious torrent flows. Prior. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. Ending quickly in death; brief and fatal; as, a precipitate case of disease. [ Obs. ] Arbuthnot. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ NL. praecipitatum: cf. F. précipité. ] (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. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. atmospheric moisture condensed as rain or snow, etc.; same as precipitation{ 5 }. [ PJC ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Precipitated p. pr. & vb. n. Precipitating. ] 1. To throw headlong; to cast down from a precipice or height. [ 1913 Webster ]

She and her horse had been precipitated to the pebbled region of the river. W. Irving. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

Back to his sight precipitates her steps. Glover. [ 1913 Webster ]

If they be daring, it may precipitate their designs, and prove dangerous. Bacon. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

The light vapor of the preceding evening had been precipitated by the cold. W. Irving. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. 1. To dash or fall headlong. [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

So many fathom down precipitating. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To hasten without preparation. [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

3. (Chem.) To separate from a solution as a precipitate. See Precipitate, n. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. In a precipitate manner; headlong; hastily; rashly. Swift. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L. praecipitatio: cf. F. précipitation. ] 1. The act of precipitating, or the state of being precipitated, or thrown headlong. [ 1913 Webster ]

In peril of precipitation
From off rock Tarpeian. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A falling, flowing, or rushing downward with violence and rapidity. [ 1913 Webster ]

The hurry, precipitation, and rapid motion of the water, returning . . . towards the sea. Woodward. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Great hurry; rash, tumultuous haste; impetuosity. “The precipitation of inexperience.” Rambler. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. (Chem.) The act or process of precipitating from a solution. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. (Meteorology) A deposit on the earth of hail, mist, rain, sleet, or snow; also, the quantity of water deposited.

☞ Deposits of dew, fog, and frost are not regarded by the United States Weather Bureau as precipitation. Sleet and snow are melted, and the record of precipitation shows the depth of the horizontal layers of water in hundredths of an inch or in millimeters. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

n. [ L. praecipitator an overthrower. ] One who precipitates, or urges on with vehemence or rashness. Hammond. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Precipitous. [ Obs. ] -- Prec`i*pi"tious*ly, adv. [Obs.] Dr. H. More. [1913 Webster]

a. [ L. praeceps, -cipitis: cf. OF. precipiteux. See Precipice. ] 1. Steep, like a precipice; as, a precipitous cliff or mountain. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Headlong; as, precipitous fall. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Hasty; rash; quick; sudden; precipitate; as, precipitous attempts. Sir T. Browne. “Marian's low, precipitous ‘Hush!'” Mrs. Browning. [ 1913 Webster ]

-- Pre*cip"i*tous*ly, adv. -- Pre*cip"i*tous*ness, n. [ 1913 Webster ]

‖n. [ F. See Precise. ] A concise or abridged statement or view; an abstract; a summary. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. To make a precis of. [ WordNet 1.5 ]