noun
1.
Also, tal·cum 
[tal-kuh
m] . a green-to-gray, soft mineral, hydrous magnesium silicate, Mg 3 (Si 4 O 10 )(OH) 2 , unctuous to the touch, and occurring usually in foliated or compact masses, used in making lubricants, talcum powder, electrical insulation, etc.
[tal-kuhm] . a green-to-gray, soft mineral, hydrous magnesium silicate, Mg 3 (Si 4 O 10 )(OH) 2 , unctuous to the touch, and occurring usually in foliated or compact masses, used in making lubricants, talcum powder, electrical insulation, etc. verb (used with object)
3.
to treat or rub with talc.
Origin:
1595–1605; < Medieval Latin talcum < Arabic ṭalq mica < Persian talk
1595–1605; < Medieval Latin talcum < Arabic ṭalq mica < Persian talk
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
Cite This Source
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
Cite This Source
|
Link To talc
Collins
World English Dictionary
talc (tælk) ![[Click for IPA pronunciation guide]](http://static.sfdict.com/dictstatic/g/d/dictionary_questionbutton_default.gif) | |
| —n | |
| 1. | See talcum powder |
| 2. | a white, grey, brown, or pale green mineral, found in metamorphic rocks. It is used in the manufacture of talcum powder and electrical insulators. Composition: hydrated magnesium silicate. Formula: Mg3Si4O10(OH)2. Crystal structure: monoclinic |
| —vb , talcs, talcking, talcked, talcs, talcing, talced | |
| 3. | (tr) to apply talc to |
| [C16: from Medieval Latin talcum, from Arabic talq mica, from Persian talk] | |
| 'talcose | |
| —adj | |
| 'talcous | |
| —adj | |
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
Cite This Source
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
Cite This Source
00:10
Talc
is one of our favorite verbs.
So is lollygag. Does it mean:
| to bark; yelp. |
| to spend time idly; loaf. |
Etymonline
Word Origin & History
talc
1582, from M.Fr. talc, probably from Sp. talco and M.L. talcum "talc" (c.1317), both from Arabic talq, from Pers. talk "talc."
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
Cite This Source
Cite This Source
American Heritage
Medical Dictionary
talc (tālk)
n.
A fine-grained white, greenish, or gray mineral, having a soft soapy feel and used in talcum and face powder. Also called talcum.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Cite This Source
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Cite This Source
American Heritage
Science Dictionary
| talc (tālk) Pronunciation Key
A very soft white, greenish, or gray monoclinic mineral usually occurring as massive micalike flakes in igneous or metamorphic rocks. It has a soapy texture and is used in face powder and talcum powder, for coating paper, and as a filler in paints and plastics. Chemical formula: Mg3Si4O10(OH)2. |
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2002. Published by Houghton Mifflin. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Copyright © 2002. Published by Houghton Mifflin. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Example sentences
It is not yet known whether wet talc is more effective than dry talc in treating patients with malignant pleural effusion.
Matching Quote
Nearby Words
Copyright © 2013 Dictionary.com, LLC. All rights reserved.
