coagulate
/kəʊˈæɡ.jʊ.leɪt/ IELTSAcademic
verb
- 1.
To change from a liquid into a thicker, partly solid mass, often because of heat, chemicals, or time.
- The milk began to coagulate.
- Blood can coagulate after an injury.
- The sauce started to coagulate on the stove.
- 2.
To make a liquid, especially blood, become thicker and form clumps.
- The medicine helps coagulate the blood.
- This chemical can coagulate proteins.
- Doctors try to prevent blood from coagulating too much.
Adinary Nuance
Coagulate is more technical than words like thicken or solidify. It is often used in science, medicine, and cooking, especially for liquids like blood, milk, or proteins. In everyday speech, people usually say 'thicken,' 'clot,' or 'set' instead.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- Đông lại
- Spanish
- Coagular
- Chinese
- 凝固
- Japanese
- 凝固する
- Korean
- 응고하다
Etymology
From Latin coagulat-, past participle of coagulare, from coagulare meaning 'to curdle' or 'make thick.' It entered English through Latin in the late Middle Ages.
Common phrases
coagulate bloodcoagulate proteinsbegin to coagulate
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is coagulate a common everyday word?
- No, it is more common in science, medicine, and cooking than in daily conversation.
- What is the difference between coagulate and curdle?
- Coagulate is broader and more technical. Curdle is often used for milk or cream.
- Can I use coagulate for blood?
- Yes. It is often used in medical writing about blood.
- Is coagulate formal?
- Yes, it sounds formal and technical.