Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of Chalk?

\Chalk\, n. [AS. cealc lime, from L. calx limestone. See {Calz}, and {Cawk}.] 1. (Min.) A soft, earthy substance, of a white, grayish, or yellowish white color, consisting of calcium carbonate, and having the same composition as common limestone. 2. (Fine Arts) Finely prepared chalk, used as a drawing implement; also, by extension, a compound, as of clay and black lead, or the like, used in the same manner. See {Crayon}. {Black chalk}, a mineral of a bluish color, of a slaty texture, and soiling the fingers when handled; a variety of argillaceous slate. {By a long chalk}, by a long way; by many degrees. [Slang] --Lowell. {Chalk drawing} (Fine Arts), a drawing made with crayons. See {Crayon}. {Chalk formation}. See {Cretaceous formation}, under {Cretaceous}. {Chalk line}, a cord rubbed with chalk, used for making straight lines on boards or other material, as a guide in cutting or in arranging work. {Chalk mixture}, a preparation of chalk, cinnamon, and sugar in gum water, much used in diarrheal affection, esp. of infants. {Chalk period}. (Geol.) See {Cretaceous period}, under {Cretaceous}. {Chalk pit}, a pit in which chalk is dug. {Drawing chalk}. See {Crayon}, n., 1. {French chalk}, steatite or soapstone, a soft magnesian mineral. {Red chalk}, an indurated clayey ocher containing iron, and used by painters and artificers; reddle.
\Chalk\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Chalked}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Chalking}.] 1. To rub or mark with chalk. 2. To manure with chalk, as land. --Morimer. 3. To make white, as with chalk; to make pale; to bleach. --Tennyson. Let a bleak paleness chalk the door. --Herbert. {To chalk out}, to sketch with, or as with, chalk; to outline; to indicate; to plan. [Colloq.] ``I shall pursue the plan I have chalked out.'' --Burke.