/t͡ʃɔːk/, /t͡ʃɒk/, /t͡ʃɑːk/
OriginFrom 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.
- uncountableA soft, white, powdery limestone (calcium carbonate, CaCO₃).
“chalk cliffs are not recommended for climbing”
- countableA piece of chalk, or nowadays processed compressed gypsum (calcium sulfate, CaSO₄), that is used for drawing and for writing on a blackboard (chalkboard).
“the chalk used to write on the blackboard makes a squeaky sound”
- countable, uncountableTailor's chalk.
- uncountableA 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).
“when working out your next move, it's a good idea to get some more chalk from the bag”
- US, countableA platoon-sized group of airborne soldiers.
- US, countable, uncountableThe favorite in a sporting event.
- US, countable, uncountableThe prediction that there will be no upsets, and the favored competitor will win.
“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.”
“Excuse us for sticking with the chalk, but the predicted winners are Afternoon Deelites in the Derby, Oliver McCall over Larry Holmes, Nick Faldo in the Masters, and Al Unser Jr. in the Grand Prix.”
“Instead, he played the chalk and selected the No. 1 overall seed in the tournament.”
- To apply chalk to anything, such as the tip of a billiard cue.
“chalk your hands before climbing”
“After a leg stretch, we set off again at 11:30 hours in charge of U.S.A. No. 1736 (Miss Ohio had been chalked on her), a 2-8-0 utility engine.”
- To record something, as on a blackboard, using chalk.
- To use powdered chalk to mark the lines on a playing field.
- figurativelyTo record a score or event, as if on a chalkboard.
“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 ſho”
- To manure (land) with chalk.
“Land that is chalked”
“I then chalked the land at an expense of 4l. per acre, and planted potatoes, about ten bushels to the acre […]”
- To make white, as if with chalk; to make pale; to bleach.
“Fear Stared in her eyes, and chalked her face”
“Let a bleak paleness chalk the door.”
- countable, uncountableA surname.
- countable, uncountableA suburban village attached to the east side of Gravesend, Gravesham borough, Kent, England (OS grid ref TQ6773).
Formschalks(plural) · chaulk(alternative, dated) · chalks(present, singular, third-person) · chalking(participle, present) · chalked(participle, past) · chalked(past) · Chalks(plural)