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. [ 1913 Webster ]
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. [ 1913 Webster ]
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. [ 1913 Webster ]