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Word of the day

coagulate

[ koh-ag-yuh-leyt ] [ koʊˈæg yəˌleɪt ] Show IPA Phonetic Respelling

verb

to change from a fluid into a thickened mass; curdle; congeal

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Why Dictionary.com chose coagulate

More about coagulate

  • First recorded between 1350–1400, combining coagulum-ate 1.
  • From Old French; directly from the Latin coagulare, “to cause to curdle.”

EXAMPLES OF COAGULATE

  • The chef heated the eggs gently, ensuring they wouldn’t coagulate too quickly.
  • As the blood began to coagulate, the wound stopped bleeding.
20240103
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Word of the day

quipu

[ kee-poo ] [ ˈki pu ] Show IPA Phonetic Respelling

noun

an ancient Peruvian device used for recording events and accounts

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Why Dictionary.com chose quipu

More about quipu

  • First recorded in 1695–1705.
  • Borrowed from the Spanish quipu and the Quechua khipu, meaning “knot.”

EXAMPLES OF QUIPU 

  • The Inca used the quipu, a system of knotted cords, to record agricultural data and census information.
  • Experts believe that quipus may have also been used for storytelling, though much of their meaning remains a mystery.
20240103
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Word of the day

olid

[ oh-lid ] [ ˈɒlɪd ] Show IPA Phonetic Respelling

adjective

foul-smelling

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Why Dictionary.com chose olid

More about olid

  • First recorded in the late 1600s.
  • From the classical Latin olidus, meaning “having an offensive smell.”

EXAMPLES OF OLID 

  • The olid stench from the trash dump made it difficult to breathe.
  • As soon as we opened the old refrigerator, an olid wave of spoiled food hit our noses.
20240103
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