Anticoagulating

/ˌæntikoʊˈæɡjəˌleɪtɪŋ/ verb

Definition

Preventing or slowing the clotting of blood; the present participle of anticoagulate.

Etymology

From anti- (against) + coagulating (from Latin 'coagulare' meaning to curdle or clot). This medical term became essential after blood transfusions revealed the need to prevent clotting.

Kelly Says

Warfarin, a major anticoagulating drug, was originally developed as rat poison—it kills rats by preventing blood clotting, but doctors discovered small doses could save human lives from strokes and heart attacks.

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