coolant
|cool-ant|
/ˈkuːlənt/
something that makes cool
Etymology
'coolant' is a Modern English formation from the adjective 'cool' plus the agentive suffix '-ant' (borrowed into English via French/Latin), where 'cool' meant 'moderately cold' and '-ant' indicated 'something that performs an action'.
'cool' comes from Old English 'cōl' (also written 'col') meaning 'not warm, cold', ultimately from Proto-Germanic root *kōlaz. The suffix '-ant' derives from Latin '-ans/-ant-', through Old French, and was attached to 'cool' in Modern English to form 'coolant' (recorded in the 19th century) meaning 'that which cools'.
Initially formed to mean 'something that cools or causes cooling', the word has retained this basic meaning while extending to various technical uses (e.g., engine coolant, reactor coolant).
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a substance (often a liquid) used to absorb and carry away heat from machinery or systems to prevent overheating.
The car's coolant must be checked regularly to avoid engine overheating.
Synonyms
Noun 2
specifically, the fluid circulated through an engine's cooling system (often a water/antifreeze mixture).
Add a 50/50 mix of antifreeze and water to the radiator as the recommended coolant.
Synonyms
Last updated: 2025/10/29 13:40