coagulate
/kou'ægjuleit/
Definition
- Verb (transitive):
- To cause a liquid to change into a soft, semi-solid, or solid mass by a process of thickening or clotting.
- Verb (intransitive):
- To change from a liquid state into a soft, semi-solid, or solid mass.
Usage
- As a transitive verb, "coagulate" takes a direct object (e.g., to coagulate blood).
- As an intransitive verb, it describes the process a substance undergoes (e.g., the blood coagulated).
- It is commonly used in scientific, medical, and culinary contexts to describe the solidification of liquids like blood, milk, or egg whites.
Examples
- Transitive verb:
- The enzyme rennet is used to coagulate milk in the cheese-making process.
- Heat can coagulate the proteins in an egg.
- Intransitive verb:
- If you leave the gravy standing too long, it will coagulate.
- The blood from the cut quickly coagulated, forming a scab.
Advanced Usage
- "Coagulate" as an adjective: While primarily a verb, the past participle "coagulated" is frequently used adjectivally to describe something that has undergone this process.
- The surgeon removed the coagulated blood clot.
- Avoid eating coagulated sauce; it doesn't look appetizing.
Variants and Related Words
- Coagulation (noun): The process of coagulating.
- Blood coagulation is a complex biological process.
- Coagulant (noun): A substance that causes coagulation.
- Calcium chloride is a common coagulant in food processing.
- Coagulable (adjective): Capable of being coagulated.
- Not all proteins are coagulable by heat.
Synonyms
- Clot (verb): Especially for blood.
- Curdle (verb): Especially for milk.
- Congeal (verb): To become semi-solid, often due to cooling (e.g., fat, soup).
- Thicken (verb): A more general term for becoming thicker.
Antonyms
- Liquefy (verb): To make or become liquid.
- Dissolve (verb): To become incorporated into a liquid so as to form a solution.
- Melt (verb): To become liquid, usually by heat.
Related Phrases and Idioms
- "Make one's blood coagulate": An idiomatic expression meaning to cause extreme fear or horror.
- The terrifying story was enough to make your blood coagulate.
Adjective
-
transformed from a liquid into a soft semisolid or solid mass
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coagulated blood
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curdled milk
-
grumous blood
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Verb
-
cause to change from a liquid to a solid or thickened state
-
change from a liquid to a thickened or solid state
-
coagulated blood
-
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