If something precipitates an event or situation, usually a bad one, it causes it to happen suddenly or sooner than normal.
例句
The killings in Vilnius have precipitated the worst crisis yet...维尔纽斯的几起谋杀事件导致了迄今为止最严重的危机。A slight mistake could precipitate a disaster.小错误可能会招致大灾难。
ADJ-GRADED
(行动或决定)仓猝的,贸然的,突然的
A precipitate action or decision happens or is made more quickly or suddenly than most people think is sensible.
例句
I don't think we should make precipitate decisions...我认为我们不应该贸然作出决定。Many of our current problems have been caused by precipitate policy making in the past.我们目前的很多问题都是由过去仓猝制定的政策导致的。
英英词典释义
Adjective
1. bringing on suddenly or abruptly;
"the completion of the railroad was the precipitating cause in the extinction of water-borne commerce"