Chalk
Chalk (chak) , noun
[Anglo-Saxon cealc lime, from Latin calx limestone. See Calz, and Cawk.]
1.
(Mineralogy) A soft, earthy substance, of a white, grayish, or yellowish white color, consisting of calcium carbonate, and having the same composition as common limestone.
2.
(Fine Arts) Finely prepared chalk, used as a drawing implement; also, by extension, a compound, as of clay and black lead, or the like, used in the same manner. See Crayon.
Collocations (11)
Black chalk , a mineral of a bluish color, of a slaty texture, and soiling the fingers when handled; a variety of argillaceous slate.
By a long chalk , by a long way; by many degrees. [Slang] — Lowell
Chalk formation , See Cretaceous formation, under Cretaceous.
Chalk line , a cord rubbed with chalk, used for making straight lines on boards or other material, as a guide in cutting or in arranging work.
Chalk mixture , a preparation of chalk, cinnamon, and sugar in gum water, much used in diarrheal affection, esp. of infants.
Chalk pit , a pit in which chalk is dug.
Drawing chalk , See Crayon, n., 1.
French chalk , steatite or soapstone, a soft magnesian mineral.
Red chalk , an indurated clayey ocher containing iron, and used by painters and artificers; reddle.
Chalk , transitive verb
1.
To rub or mark with chalk.
2.
To manure with chalk, as land. — Morimer
3.
To make white, as with chalk; to make pale; to bleach. — Tennyson
Let a bleak paleness chalk the door.
Collocations (1)
To chalk out , to sketch with, or as with, chalk; to outline; to indicate; to plan. [Colloquial] I shall pursue the plan I have chalked out.