chalk
|chalk|
B1
🇺🇸
/tʃɔk/
🇬🇧
/tʃɔːk/
soft white limestone
Etymology
Etymology Information
'chalk' originates from Old English, specifically the word 'cealc', which came from Latin 'calx', meaning 'limestone'.
Historical Evolution
'cealc' transformed into the Middle English word 'chalke', and eventually became the modern English word 'chalk'.
Meaning Changes
Initially, it meant 'limestone', and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a soft white limestone (calcium carbonate) formed from the skeletal remains of sea creatures.
The cliffs are made of chalk.
Synonyms
Noun 2
a stick of this substance used for writing or drawing.
She used chalk to write on the blackboard.
Synonyms
Idioms
Last updated: 2025/01/11 11:35