| a grayish-black, lumpy, crystalline powder, CaC2, usually derived from coke or anthracite by reaction with limestone or quicklime: used chiefly for the generation of acetylene, which it yields upon decomposing in water. |
| calcium carbide n. A grayish-black crystalline compound, CaC2, obtained by heating pulverized limestone or quicklime with carbon and used to generate acetylene gas, as a dehydrating agent, and in the manufacture of graphite and hydrogen. |
