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Chalk

//t͡ʃɔːk// name, noun, verb

Definitions

Proper Noun
  1. 1
    A surname. countable, uncountable
  2. 2
    A suburban village attached to the east side of Gravesend, Gravesham borough, Kent, England (OS grid ref TQ6773). countable, uncountable
Noun
  1. 1
    A soft, white, powdery limestone (calcium carbonate, CaCO₃). uncountable

    "chalk cliffs are not recommended for climbing"

  2. 2
    a piece of calcite or a similar substance, usually in the shape of a crayon, that is used to write or draw on blackboards or other flat surfaces wordnet
  3. 3
    A piece of chalk, or nowadays processed compressed gypsum (calcium sulfate, CaSO₄), that is used for drawing and for writing on a blackboard (chalkboard). countable

    "the chalk used to write on the blackboard makes a squeaky sound"

  4. 4
    an amphetamine derivative (trade name Methedrine) used in the form of a crystalline hydrochloride; used as a stimulant to the nervous system and as an appetite suppressant wordnet
  5. 5
    Tailor's chalk. countable, uncountable
Show 6 more definitions
  1. 6
    a pure flat white with little reflectance wordnet
  2. 7
    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). uncountable

    "when working out your next move, it's a good idea to get some more chalk from the bag"

  3. 8
    a soft whitish calcite wordnet
  4. 9
    A platoon-sized group of airborne soldiers. US, countable
  5. 10
    The favorite in a sporting event. US, countable, uncountable
  6. 11
    The prediction that there will be no upsets, and the favored competitor will win. US, countable, uncountable

    "OK, let's get rid of the chalk players right away. The chalk likes North Carolina. Dean Smith has taken Carolina to the Final Four six times."

Verb
  1. 1
    To apply chalk to anything, such as the tip of a billiard cue.

    "chalk your hands before climbing"

  2. 2
    write, draw, or trace with chalk wordnet
  3. 3
    To record something, as on a blackboard, using chalk.
  4. 4
    To use powdered chalk to mark the lines on a playing field.
  5. 5
    To record a score or event, as if on a chalkboard. figuratively

    "This Book it chaulketh out before thine eyes / The man that ſeeks the everlaſting Prize: / It ſhevvs you vvhence he comes, vvhither he goes, / VVhat he leaves undone; alſo vvhat he does: / It alſo ſhovvs you hovv he runs, and runs, / Till he unto the Gate of Glory comes."

Show 2 more definitions
  1. 6
    To manure (land) with chalk.

    "Land that is chalked"

  2. 7
    To make white, as if with chalk; to make pale; to bleach.

    "Fear Stared in her eyes, and chalked her face"

Etymology

Etymology 1

From Middle English chalk, chalke, from Old English ċealc, from Proto-West Germanic *kalk, borrowed from Latin calx (“limestone”), again borrowed from Ancient Greek χάλιξ (khálix, “pebble”). Doublet of calx and cauk.

Etymology 2

From Middle English chalk, chalke, from Old English ċealc, from Proto-West Germanic *kalk, borrowed from Latin calx (“limestone”), again borrowed from Ancient Greek χάλιξ (khálix, “pebble”). Doublet of calx and cauk.

Etymology 3

From early Middle English Celc, from Old English ċealc (“chalk”)

See also for "chalk"

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