Precautional - Precisive

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2. To take precaution against. [R.] Dryden.
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Precautional (?), a. Precautionary.
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Precautionary (?), a. Of or pertaining to precaution, or precautions; as, precautionary signals.
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Precautious (?), a. Taking or using precaution; precautionary. -- Precautiously, adv. -- Precautiousness, n.
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Precedaneous (?), a. Preceding; antecedent; previous. [Obs.] Hammond.
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Precede (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Preceded; p. pr. & vb. n. Preceding.] [L. praecedere, praecessum; prae before + cedere to go, to be in motion: cf. F. préceder. See , and .] 1. To go before in order of time; to occur first with relation to anything. “Harm precedes not sin.” Milton.
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2. To go before in place, rank, or importance.
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3. To cause to be preceded; to preface; to introduce; -- used with by or with before the instrumental object. [R.]
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It is usual to precede hostilities by a public declaration. Kent.
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{ Precedence (?), Precedency (?), } n. [Cf. F. précédence. See .] 1. The act or state of preceding or going before in order of time; priority; as, one event has precedence of another.
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2. The act or state of going or being before in rank or dignity, or the place of honor; right to a more honorable place; superior rank; as, barons have precedence of commoners.
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Which of them [the different desires] has the precedency in determining the will to the next action? Locke.
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Syn. -- Antecedence; priority; preëminence; preference; superiority.
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Precedent (?), a. [L. praecedens, -entis, p. pr. of praecedere: cf. F. précédent. See .] Going before; anterior; preceding; antecedent; as, precedent services. Shak. “A precedent injury.” Bacon.
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Coloq. Condition precedent (Law), a condition which precede the vesting of an estate, or the accruing of a right.
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Precedent (?), n. 1. Something done or said that may serve as an example to authorize a subsequent act of the same kind; an authoritative example.
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Examples for cases can but direct as precedents only. Hooker.
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2. A preceding circumstance or condition; an antecedent; hence, a prognostic; a token; a sign. [Obs.]
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3. A rough draught of a writing which precedes a finished copy. [Obs.] Shak.
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4. (Law) A judicial decision which serves as a rule for future determinations in similar or analogous cases; an authority to be followed in courts of justice; forms of proceeding to be followed in similar cases. Wharton.
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Syn. -- Example; antecedent. -- , . An example in a similar case which may serve as a rule or guide, but has no authority out of itself. A precedent is something which comes down to us from the past with the sanction of usage and of common consent. We quote examples in literature, and precedents in law.
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Precedented, a. Having a precedent; authorized or sanctioned by an example of a like kind. Walpole.
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Precedential (?), a. Of the nature of a precedent; having force as an example for imitation; as, precedential transactions.
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All their actions in that time are not precedential to warrant posterity. Fuller.
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Precedently (?), adv. Beforehand; antecedently.
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Preceding, a. 1. Going before; -- opposed to following.
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2. (Astron.) In the direction toward which stars appear to move. See , 2.
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Precel (?), v. t. & i. [See .] To surpass; to excel; to exceed. [Obs.] Howell.
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{ Precellence (?), Precellency (?), } n. [L. praecellentia, from praecellens, p. pr. of praecellere to excel, surpass: cf. OF. precellence.] Excellence; superiority. [Obs.] Sheldon.
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Precellent (?), a. [L. praecellens, p. pr.] Excellent; surpassing. [Obs.] Holland.
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Precentor (?), n. [L. praecentor, fr. praecinere to sing before; prae before + canere to sing. See .] A leader of a choir; a directing singer. Specifically: (a) The leader of the choir in a cathedral; -- called also the chanter or master of the choir. Hook. (b) The leader of the congregational singing in Scottish and other churches.
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Precentorship, n. The office of a precentor.
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Precept (?), n. [L. praeceptum, from praecipere to take beforehand, to instruct, teach; prae before + capere to take: cf. F. précepte. See , and .] 1. Any commandment, instruction, or order intended as an authoritative rule of action; esp., a command respecting moral conduct; an injunction; a rule.
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For precept must be upon precept. Isa. xxviii. 10.
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No arts are without their precepts. Dryden.
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2. (Law) A command in writing; a species of writ or process. Burrill.
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Syn. -- Commandment; injunction; mandate; law; rule; direction; principle; maxim. See .
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Precept, v. t. To teach by precepts. [Obs.] Bacon.
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Preceptial (?), a. Preceptive. [Obs.]
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[Passion] would give preceptial medicine to rage. Shak.
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Preception (?), n. [L. praeceptio.] A precept. [R.] Bp. Hall.
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Preceptive (?), a. [L. praeceptivus.] Containing or giving precepts; of the nature of precepts; didactic; as, the preceptive parts of the Scriptures.
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The lesson given us here is preceptive to us. L'Estrange.
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Preceptor (?), n. [L. praeceptor, fr. praecipere to teach: cf. F. précepteur. See .] 1. One who gives commands, or makes rules; specifically, the master or principal of a school; a teacher; an instructor.
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2. The head of a preceptory among the Knights Templars. Sir W. Scott.
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Preceptorial (?), a. Of or pertaining to a preceptor.
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Preceptory (?; 277), a. Preceptive. “A law preceptory.” Anderson (1573).
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Preceptory, n.; pl. Preceptories (#). [LL. praeceptoria an estate assigned to a preceptor, from L. praeceptor a commander, ruler, teacher, in LL., procurator, administrator among the Knights Templars. See .] A religious house of the Knights Templars, subordinate to the temple or principal house of the order in London. See , n., 2.
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Preceptress (?), n. A woman who is the principal of a school; a female teacher.
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Precession (?), n. [L. praecedere, praecessum, to go before: cf. F. précession. See .] The act of going before, or forward.
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Coloq. Lunisolar precession . (Astron.) See under . -- Coloq. Planetary precession , that part of the precession of the equinoxes which depends on the action of the planets alone. -- Coloq. Precession of the equinoxes (Astron.), the slow backward motion of the equinoctial points along the ecliptic, at the rate of 50.2″ annually, caused by the action of the sun, moon, and planets, upon the protuberant matter about the earth's equator, in connection with its diurnal rotation; -- so called because either equinox, owing to its westerly motion, comes to the meridian sooner each day than the point it would have occupied without the motion of precession, and thus precedes that point continually with reference to the time of transit and motion.
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Precessional (?), a. Of or pertaining to pression; as, the precessional movement of the equinoxes.
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Precessor (?), n. [L. praecessor.] A predecessor. [Obs.] Fuller.
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Précieuse, n. An affected woman of polite society, esp. one of the literary women of the French salons of the 17th century. See aslo .
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Precinct (?; 277), n. [LL. praecinctum, fr. L. praecingere, praecinctum, to gird about, to encompass; prae before + cingere to gird, surround. See , and .] 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.
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2. A district within certain boundaries; a minor territorial or jurisdictional division; as, an election precinct; a school precinct.
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3. A parish or prescribed territory attached to a church, and taxed for its support. [U.S.]
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The parish, or precinct, shall proceed to a new choice. Laws of Massachusetts.
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Preciosity (?), n. Preciousness; something precious. [Obs.] Sir T. Browne.
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Preciosity (?), n.; pl. -ties (#). [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.
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Precious (?), a. [OF. precious, precius, precios, F. précieux, L. pretiosus, fr. pretium price, worth, value. See .] 1. Of great price; costly; as, a precious stone. “The precious bane.” Milton.
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2. Of great value or worth; very valuable; highly esteemed; dear; beloved; as, precious recollections.
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She is more precious than rules. Prov. iii. 15.
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Many things which are most precious are neglected only because the value of them lieth hid. Hooker.
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Also used ironically; as, a precious rascal.
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3. Particular; fastidious; overnice; overrefined. Cf. , .
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Lest that precious folk be with me wroth. Chaucer.
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Elaborate embroidery of precious language. Saintsbury.
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Coloq. Precious metals , the uncommon and highly valuable metals, esp. gold and silver. -- Coloq. Precious stones , gems; jewels.
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Preciously, adv. In a precious manner; expensively; extremely; dearly. Also used ironically.
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Preciousness, n. The quality or state of being precious; costliness; dearness.
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Precipe (?), n. (Law) See , and .
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Precipice (?), n. [F. précipice, L. praecipitium, fr. praeceps, -cipitis, headlong; prae before + caput, capitis, the head. See , and .] 1. A sudden or headlong fall. [Obs.] Fuller.
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2. A headlong steep; a very steep, perpendicular, or overhanging place; an abrupt declivity; a cliff.
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Where wealth like fruit on precipices grew. Dryden.
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Precipient (?), a. [L. praecipiens, p. pr. See .] Commanding; directing.
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Precipitability (?), n. The quality or state of being precipitable.
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Precipitable (?), a. Capable of being precipitated, or cast to the bottom, as a substance in solution. See , n. (Chem.)
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{ Precipitance (?), Precipitancy (?), } n. [From .] 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.
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Precipitant (?), a. [L. praecipitans, -antis, p. pr. of praecipitare: cf. F. précipitant. See .] 1. Falling or rushing headlong; rushing swiftly, violently, or recklessly; moving precipitately.
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They leave their little lives
Above the clouds, precipitant to earth. J. Philips.
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Should he return, that troop so blithe and bold,
Precipitant in fear would wing their flight. Pope.
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2. Unexpectedly or foolishly brought on or hastened; rashly hurried; hasty; sudden; reckless. Jer. Taylor. “Precipitant rebellion.” Eikon Basilike.
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Precipitant, n. (Chem.) Any force or reagent which causes the formation of a precipitate.
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Precipitantly, adv. With rash or foolish haste; in headlong manner. Milton.
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Precipitantness, n. The quality or state of being precipitant; precipitation.
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Precipitate (?), a. [L. praecipitatus, p. p. of praecipitare to precipitate, fr. praeceps headlong. See .] 1. Overhasty; rash; as, the king was too precipitate in declaring war. Clarendon.
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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.
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3. Falling, flowing, or rushing, with steep descent; headlong.
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Precipitate the furious torrent flows. Prior.
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4. Ending quickly in death; brief and fatal; as, a precipitate case of disease. [Obs.] Arbuthnot.
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Precipitate (?), 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.
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2. atmospheric moisture condensed as rain or snow, etc.; same as .
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Coloq. 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. -- Coloq. 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.
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Precipitate (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Precipitated (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Precipitating.] 1. To throw headlong; to cast down from a precipice or height.
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She and her horse had been precipitated to the pebbled region of the river. W. Irving.
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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.
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Back to his sight precipitates her steps. Glover.
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If they be daring, it may precipitate their designs, and prove dangerous. Bacon.
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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.
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The light vapor of the preceding evening had been precipitated by the cold. W. Irving.
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Precipitate, v. i. 1. To dash or fall headlong. [R.]
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So many fathom down precipitating. Shak.
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2. To hasten without preparation. [R.]
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3. (Chem.) To separate from a solution as a precipitate. See , n.
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Precipitately (?), adv. In a precipitate manner; headlong; hastily; rashly. Swift.
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Precipitation (?), n. [L. praecipitatio: cf. F. précipitation.] 1. The act of precipitating, or the state of being precipitated, or thrown headlong.
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In peril of precipitation
From off rock Tarpeian. Shak.
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2. A falling, flowing, or rushing downward with violence and rapidity.
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The hurry, precipitation, and rapid motion of the water, returning . . . towards the sea. Woodward.
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3. Great hurry; rash, tumultuous haste; impetuosity. “The precipitation of inexperience.” Rambler.
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4. (Chem.) The act or process of precipitating from a solution.
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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.
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Precipitator (?), n. [L. praecipitator an overthrower.] One who precipitates, or urges on with vehemence or rashness. Hammond.
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Precipitious (?), a. Precipitous. [Obs.] -- Precipitiously, adv. [Obs.] Dr. H. More.
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Precipitous (?), a. [L. praeceps, -cipitis: cf. OF. precipiteux. See .] 1. Steep, like a precipice; as, a precipitous cliff or mountain.
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2. Headlong; as, precipitous fall.
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3. Hasty; rash; quick; sudden; precipitate; as, precipitous attempts. Sir T. Browne. “Marian's low, precipitous ‘Hush!'” Mrs. Browning.
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-- Precipitously, adv. -- Precipitousness, n.
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Précis (pr�sē), n. [F. See .] A concise or abridged statement or view; an abstract; a summary.
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Precise (?), 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. précis. Cf. .] 1. Having determinate limitations; exactly or sharply defined or stated; definite; exact; nice; not vague or equivocal; as, precise rules of morality.
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The law in this point is not precise. Bacon.
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For the hour precise
Exacts our parting hence. Milton.
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2. Strictly adhering or conforming to rule; very nice or exact; punctilious in conduct or ceremony; formal; ceremonious. Addison.
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He was ever precise in promise-keeping. Shak.
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Syn. -- Accurate; exact; definite; correct; scrupulous; punctilious; particular; nice; formal. See .
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-- Precisely, adv. -- Preciseness, n.
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Precisian (?), n. 1. One who limits, or restrains. [Obs.]
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2. An overprecise person; one rigidly or ceremoniously exact in the observance of rules; a formalist; -- formerly applied to the English Puritans.
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The most dissolute cavaliers stood aghast at the dissoluteness of the emancipated precisian. Macaulay.
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Precisianism (?), n. The quality or state of being a precisian; the practice of a precisian. Milton.
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Precisianist, n. A precisian.
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Precision (?), n. [Cf. F. précision, L. praecisio a cutting off. See .] The quality or state of being precise; exact limitation; exactness; accuracy; strict conformity to a rule or a standard; definiteness.
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I have left out the utmost precisions of fractions. Locke.
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Syn. -- Preciseness; exactness; accuracy; nicety. -- , . 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.
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Precisive (?), 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.
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