clot
UK[klɒt]US[klɑːt]
n
A thick, sticky lump that forms in a liquid, especially in blood
v
To form into thick, sticky lumps; to coagulate
Etymology
The word 'clot' originates from the Old English 'clott', meaning a lump or mass, particularly of earth. This term is of Germanic descent, related to the Middle Dutch 'klotte' and the German 'Klotz', meaning a block or lump. The core semantic concept has remained remarkably consistent from its Proto-Germanic root, carrying the fundamental idea of a dense, cohesive mass. Over time, its primary application narrowed from general lumps to specifically describe the coagulation of blood or other liquids, reflecting a specialized yet logical evolution of the original lump-like quality.
Analysis
The word 'clot' is a simplex word of Germanic origin. It functions as a single, indivisible morpheme in modern English.
Examples
A blood clot can be dangerous if it travels to the lungs.
The sauce began to clot as it cooled.
They used a chemical to prevent the paint from clotting in the can.