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Anticoagulant: meaning, definitions and examples

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anticoagulant

 

[ ˌæn.tɪˈkoʊ.ɪ.ɡə.lənt ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

medical treatment

An anticoagulant is a substance that prevents blood from clotting. It is commonly used in the medical field to reduce the risk of blood clots in patients with certain medical conditions. These substances can be natural or synthetic and are essential in the treatment of various cardiovascular diseases.

Synonyms

antithrombotic, blood thinner, clot inhibitor

Examples of usage

  • Doctors often prescribe anticoagulants to patients at risk of stroke.
  • Warfarin is a commonly used anticoagulant.
  • Patients must be monitored closely when taking anticoagulants to avoid complications.

Word origin

The term 'anticoagulant' is derived from the combination of the prefix 'anti-' meaning 'against' and the word 'coagulant', which refers to a substance that causes coagulation (clotting). The root 'coagulate' comes from the Latin 'coagulare', derived from 'co-' meaning 'together' and 'agere' which means 'to drive' or 'to act'. The usage of anticoagulants in medicine dates back to the early 20th century when researchers discovered their properties in preventing and treating thrombotic conditions. With advancements in medical science, a variety of anticoagulants have been developed, leading to improved patient outcomes and further understanding of hemostasis (the process that prevents and stops bleeding).

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #21,469, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.