CHALK


Meaning of CHALK in English

I. ˈchȯk noun

Etymology: Middle English, from Old English cealc, from Latin calc-, calx lime; akin to Greek chalix pebble

Date: before 12th century

1.

a. : a soft white, gray, or buff limestone composed chiefly of the shells of foraminifers

b. : a prepared form of chalk or a material resembling chalk especially when used (as for writing on blackboards) as a crayon

2.

a. : a mark made with chalk

b. British : a point scored in a game

• chalky ˈchȯ-kē adjective

II. verb

Date: 1580

transitive verb

1. : to write or draw with chalk

2. : to rub or mark with chalk

chalk a pool cue

3.

a. : to delineate roughly : sketch

chalk out a plan of attack

b. : to set down or add up with or as if with chalk : record — usually used with up

chalk up the totals

intransitive verb

: to become chalky

the paint had begun to chalk

Merriam-Webster's Collegiate English vocabulary.      Энциклопедический словарь английского языка Merriam Webster.