Today's Words: Quipu, Coagulate and Tardigrade

Quipu

(kee-poo) noun

an ancient Peruvian device used for recording events and accounts

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.

Coagulate

(koh-ag-yuh-leyt) Verb

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

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.

Tardigrade

(tahr-di-greyd) Adjective

slow in pace or movement

More about Tardigrade

First recorded in 1615–25, combining tardy + -grade 2.

From the Latin tardigradus, meaning “walking slowly.”

Examples of Tardigrade

The manager’s tardigrade approach to decision-making often left others impatient.

The tardigrade recovery of the patient concerned the doctors, as they expected quicker progress.

Inputs Courtesy: Dictionary.com

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