Etymology:
Meaning and Origin:
Precipitation refers to any form of water that falls from the atmosphere to the Earth's surface, including rain, snow, sleet, and hail. The term originated from the Latin word "praecipitare," which means "to fall, rush down, or plunge headlong."
The Latin prefix "prae" indicates that the action of falling is done "before" or "in front of" something, suggesting the downward motion of water from the sky. The root "capere" implies taking or seizing hold of something, which in this case refers to the water droplets or ice crystals falling from the atmosphere.
Therefore, precipitation can be understood as the process of water being taken hold of (by gravity) and falling from a higher elevation (the atmosphere) to a lower elevation (the Earth's surface).
Etymology Late Latin praecipitat praecipitatus past participle of praecipitare to h
Etymology precipitare Latin to fall rush down prae Latin prefix before down
Etymology Latin praecipitium a headlong fall steep place Source prae before
Etymology precipitare Latin to fall rush down prae Latin prefix before down
Etymology Middle English haste hast from Old English hæst haste vehemence impetu
Etymology Middle English hurie huryen Old English hīrīgan to hasten hurry Proto
Etymology The word sleet is derived from the Middle English word slet or slete whi
Etymology Middle English pleyn plan Old French plain plaine Vulgar Latin planus La
Etymology Old English frost Proto Germanic frostaz Proto Indo European preus
Etymology Latin prodere meaning to betray to expose Old French proder prower me
Etymology From Middle English droppe from Old English dropa ddropa drop small porti
Etymology The word steel originates from the Old English word stȳle which means t
Etymology The word stele comes from the Greek word στήλη stēlē meaning up
Etymology Speed comes from the Old English word spēd which means success prosper
