I. (ˈ)kal|sīn verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: Middle English calcenen, calcynen, from Middle French calciner, from Latin calc-, calx lime — more at chalk
transitive verb
: to heat (as inorganic materials) to a high temperature but without fusing in order to effect useful physical and chemical changes: as
a. : to convert to a powder or to a friable state by heating
b. : to heat in order to drive off volatile matter (as carbon dioxide from limestone, ores, or concentrates, or chemically combined water from clay) and thus usually to disintegrate (as bones) — compare burn vt 3d
c. : to heat under oxidizing conditions (as for producing metal oxides) — compare roast vt 2
intransitive verb
: to undergo calcination
II. ˈkalˌsīn noun
( -s )
: a product (as a metal oxide) of calcination or roasting