Page 197 - WEBSTER Essential vocabulary

17_571656 ch13.qxd 11/10/04 12:39 PM Page 188
Essential Vocabulary
188
precedent (PRE si DINT) n. 1. an earlier decision, judgment, act of law, case,
etc. that serves as an example for a later one; 2. something done based on earlier
events —adj. that precedes; preceding
• The right of the Supreme Court to pass on a law’s constitutionality was
established by precedent.
• Many court decisions are based on precedent.
• It is chivalrous to give women and children precedent over men when aban-
doning ship.
precept (PREE sept) n. 1. a rule of moral conduct; maxim; 2. a commandment
or directive meant as a rule of conduct
• Justice for all is a precept of American democracy.
• Not watching while a sausage is being made is a precept of enjoying eating
that sausage.
[Syn. doctrine]
precipitate* (pri SIP it AYT) vt. 1. to cause to happen before expected or
desired; to hasten; 2. (chemistry) to make something insoluble so that it separates
from a solution —n. (chemistry) a solid separated from a solution
• The invasion of Poland precipitated England’s entry into World War II.
• It took a weight gain of 10 pounds to precipitate Melissa’s going on a diet.
• Sodium chloride can be precipitated out of solution by adding the right
chemical, but don’t ask me which.
• Silver chloride coming out of solution appears as grayish flakes of precipitate.
[-d, precipitating, precipitation n.]
precise (pri CYS) adj. 1. accurately said; exactly defined; 2. speaking distinctly;
3. without variation; 4. scrupulous; fastidious
• Be precise in what you say, and your words won’t be misinterpreted.
• The opposite of precise speaking is mumbling.
• An atomic clock is more precise than anybody has a practical use for.
• A surgeon must be precise in her attention to keeping a sterile field.
[-ly adv., precision n.] [Syn. explicit, correct]
preclude* (pree KLOOD) vt. to make impossible; to cut out of the realm of pos-
sibilities; to prevent
• Having been scratched from the field of 12 horses in the race precludes any
possibility of How About That’s finishing in the money.
• The drawbridge’s being stuck open precluded any chance of Iggy’s getting to
work early yesterday.
[-d, precluding] [Syn. prevent]