chalk

Colorful chalk used for writing or drawing

Meanings

Noun

  • A soft, white, powdery limestone (calcium carbonate, CaCO3).
  • A piece of chalk, or nowadays processed compressed gypsum (calcium sulfate, CaSO4), that is used for drawing and for writing on a blackboard.
  • Tailor's chalk.
  • A white powdery substance used to prevent hands slipping from holds when climbing, or losing grip in weight-lifting or gymnastics, sometimes but not always limestone-chalk, often magnesium carbonate (MgCO3).
  • A platoon-sized group of airborne soldiers.
  • The favorite in a sporting event.
  • The prediction that there will be no upsets, and the favored competitor will win.

Verb

  • To apply chalk to anything, such as the tip of a billiard cue.
  • To record something, as on a blackboard, using chalk.
  • To use powdered chalk to mark the lines on a playing field.
  • To record a score or event, as if on a chalkboard.
  • To manure (land) with chalk.
  • To make white, as if with chalk; to make pale; to bleach.

Origin

  • From Middle English chalk, chalke, from Old English cealc, borrowed from Latin calx ("limestone"), again borrowed from Ancient Greek χάλιξ ("pebble"). calx and cauk.

Modern English dictionary

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