talc

• POS: Adjective, Noun, Verb (usu participle)

CIDE DICTIONARY

talc, n. [F. talc; cf. Sp. & It. talco, LL. talcus; all fr. Ar. talq.].

 A soft mineral of a soapy feel and a greenish, whitish, or grayish color, usually occurring in foliated masses. It is hydrous silicate of magnesia. Steatite, or soapstone, is a compact granular variety.  [1913 Webster]

Indurated talc, an impure, slaty talc, with a nearly compact texture, and greater hardness than common talc; -- called also talc slate.

OXFORD DICTIONARY

talc, n. & v.
--n.
1 talcum powder.
2 any crystalline form of magnesium silicate that occurs in soft flat plates, usu. white or pale green in colour and used as a lubricator etc.
--v.tr. (talcked, talcking) treat (a surface) with talc to lubricate or dry it.

Derivative

talcose adj. talcous adj. talcy adj. (in sense 1).

Etymology

F talc or med.L talcum, f. Arab. talk f. Pers. talk