Word Study
calcium
CIDE DICTIONARY
calcium, n. [NL., from L. calx, calcis, lime; cf F. calcium. See Calx.].
An elementary substance; a metal which combined with oxygen forms lime. It is of a pale yellow color, tenacious, and malleable. It is a member of the alkaline earth group of elements. Atomic weight 40. Symbol Ca. [1913 Webster]
" Calcium is widely and abundantly disseminated, as in its compounds calcium carbonate or limestone, calcium sulphate or gypsum, calcium fluoride or fluor spar, calcium phosphate or apatite." [1913 Webster]
OXFORD DICTIONARY
calcium, n. a soft grey metallic element of the alkaline earth group occurring naturally in limestone, marble, chalk, etc., that is important in industry and essential for normal growth in living organisms.
Idiom
calcium carbide a greyish solid used in the production of acetylene. calcium carbonate a white insoluble solid occurring naturally as chalk, limestone, marble, and calcite, and used in the manufacture of lime and cement. calcium hydroxide a white crystalline powder used in the manufacture of plaster and cement; slaked lime. calcium oxide a white crystalline solid from which many calcium compounds are manufactured: also called QUICKLIME, CALX. calcium phosphate the main constituent of animal bones and used as bone ash fertilizer. calcium sulphate a white crystalline solid occurring as anhydrite and gypsum.
Usage
Symb.: Ca.
Etymology
L CALX lime + -IUM
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