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quipu

noun
qui·​pu | \ ˈkē-(ˌ)pü How to pronounce quipu (audio) \

Definition of quipu

: a device made of a main cord with smaller varicolored cords attached and knotted and used by the ancient Peruvians (as for calculating)

Examples of quipu in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

 Here are some notable ways the population was counted before the first U.S. census in 1790: Incan Quipu: Instead of counting with tally marks, Incans lined up quipu or threads (made out of llama or alpaca, according to some sources). — Olivia B. Waxman, Time, "3 Ways Societies Counted Populations Before the U.S. Census," 22 June 2017

First Known Use of quipu

1704, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for quipu

Spanish quipo, from Quechua khipu

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