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.

Origin of quipu

1695–1705; < Spanish < Quechua khipu

Words nearby quipu

quintuplicate, quinua, quinze, quip, quipster, quipu, quire, quirinal, quirinus, quirites, quirk

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