cement

Meanings

Noun

• A powdered substance produced by firing (calcining) calcium carbonate (limestone) and clay that develops strong cohesive properties when mixed with water. The main ingredient of concrete.
• The paste-like substance resulting from mixing such a powder with water, or the rock-like substance that forms when it dries.
• Any material with strong adhesive and cohesive properties such as binding agents, glues, grout.
• A bond of union; that which unites firmly, as persons in friendship or in society.
• The layer of bone investing the root and neck of a tooth; cementum.

Verb

• To affix with cement.
• To overlay or coat with cement.
• To unite firmly or closely.
• To make permanent.

Origin

• From Middle English syment, cyment, from , from , from caedo. cementum.