PRECIPITATELY

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does precipitately mean? 

• PRECIPITATELY (adverb)
  The adverb PRECIPITATELY has 1 sense:

1. at breakneck speed

  Familiarity information: PRECIPITATELY used as an adverb is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• PRECIPITATELY (adverb)

Sense 1

Meaning:

At breakneck speed

Synonyms:

headlong; precipitately

Context example:

burst headlong through the gate

Pertainym:

precipitate (done with very great haste and without due deliberation)

 Context examples 

I did not condemn him precipitately.

(Rodney Stone, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Amy, who was fond of delicate fare, took a heaping spoonful, choked, hid her face in her napkin, and left the table precipitately.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)

At such times, confronted by three sets of savage teeth, the young wolf stopped precipitately, throwing himself back on his haunches, with fore- legs stiff, mouth menacing, and mane bristling.

(White Fang, by Jack London)

Whether Mr. Creakle was in earnest, or whether he only did it to frighten me, I don't know, but he made a burst out of his chair, before which I precipitately retreated, without waiting for the escort of the man with the wooden leg, and never once stopped until I reached my own bedroom, where, finding I was not pursued, I went to bed, as it was time, and lay quaking, for a couple of hours.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

I had waited many months, and I could afford to wait another hour, for I did not wish to do anything precipitately or in a hurry.

(Rodney Stone, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Laurie backed precipitately into a corner, and put his hands behind him with an imploring gesture.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)

The dog-musher let go of him precipitately, with action similar to that of a man who has picked up live fire.

(White Fang, by Jack London)

You won't have anything else here. and having delivered her defiance all on one breath, Meg cast away her pinafore and precipitately left the field to bemoan herself in her own room.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)

He was always keyed up, alert for attack, wary of being attacked, with an eye for sudden and unexpected missiles, prepared to act precipitately and coolly, to leap in with a flash of teeth, or to leap away with a menacing snarl.

(White Fang, by Jack London)

As the laugh subsided, Mrs. March began to thank Mr. Brooke for his faithful care of her husband, at which Mr. Brooke suddenly remembered that Mr. March needed rest, and seizing Laurie, he precipitately retired.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)