quipu

[ kee-poo, kwip-oo ]
/ ˈki pu, ˈkwɪp u /

noun

a device consisting of a cord with knotted strings of various colors attached, used by the ancient Peruvians for recording events, keeping accounts, etc.

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Origin of quipu

1695–1705; < Spanish < Quechua khipu

Words nearby quipu

quintuplicate, quinua, quinze, quip, quipster, quipu, quire, quirinal, quirinus, quirites, quirk
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Example sentences from the Web for quipu

British Dictionary definitions for quipu

quipu

quippu

/ (ˈkiːpuː, ˈkwɪpuː) /

noun

a device of the Incas of Peru used to record information, consisting of an arrangement of variously coloured and knotted cords attached to a base cord

Word Origin for quipu

C17: from Spanish quipo, from Quechua quipu, literally: knot
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012