coagulation
/koʊˌæɡjʊˈleɪʃən/
noun
Origin
Latin
coagulare — to curdle or congeal
Overview
Meaning Now
- The process by which a liquid, especially blood, changes to a solid or semi-solid state.
Literal older meaning
the act of driving or gathering together
Language path
Latin → Middle French → English
Earliest form
coagulacion
Earliest period
15th century
Journey
The term is rooted in the Roman practice of using 'coagulum' (rennet) to curdle milk for cheesemaking. It entered English via medical Latin and French, eventually becoming a standard term in both chemistry and hematology.
Evolution
- Latin
coagulum
“rennet; that which causes curdling”
From co- (together) + agere (to drive/act).
- Latin
coagulare
“to curdle, to cause to congeal”
- Middle French
coagulation
“process of curdling”
- English
coagulation
“the thickening of a liquid into a clot”
Connections
Word parts
co-
prefix
together
ag-
root
to drive or act
-ulate
suffix
verbal suffix forming process
-ion
suffix
noun suffix indicating state or act
Related across languages
French
coagulation
Spanish
coagulación
coagulation
Explore next
Related to coagulation
External references use DefinedTerm semantics.