calx n : a white crystalline oxide used in the production of calcium hydroxide [syn: calcium oxide, quicklime, lime, calcined lime, fluxing lime, unslaked lime, burnt lime] [also: calces (pl)]

English

Etymology

From calx ‘lime’.

Pronunciation

/kælks/

Noun

1. The substance which remains after a metal or mineral has been thoroughly burnt, seen as being the essential substance left after the expulsion of phlogiston.
2. (Now recognised as being) the oxide left after calcination of a metal.
3. calcium oxide

Latin

Pronunciation

Etymology 1

Ancient Greek χάλιξ pebble

Noun

calx, calcis f

1. limestone
2. chalk
3. the finish line

Derived terms

• calculatio
• calculator
• calculus
• calcio (metal)

Declension

Third declension; I-stem, base of 2 consonants (3:B2C).

Etymology 2

Possibly from an extension of the Proto-Indo-European root *(s)kel- "to bend", whence also Greek σκέλος leg.

Noun

calx, calcis f

1. heel, part of the foot on the backside where it becomes the leg

Derived terms

• calcaneus
• calceus
• calcio (game)
• calcitro
• recalcitrant

Declension

Same as for Etymology 1.

Calx is a residual substance, sometimes in the form of a fine powder, that is left when a metal or mineral combusts or is calcinated due to heat.

Calx, especially of a metal, is now known as an oxide. According to the obsolete phlogiston theory, the calx was the true elemental substance, having lost its phlogiston in the process of combustion.

"Calx" is also sometimes used in older texts on artist's techniques to mean calcium oxide.

Etymology

Calx is a Latin word that is also the root for Calcium.

In Popular Culture

• UK Electronic Music artist, Aphex Twin (Richard David James) named some of his tracks after different coloured Calx.

ash, ashes, brand, carbon, charcoal, cinder, clinker, coal, coke, coom, dross, fume, lava, reek, scoria, slag, smoke, smudge, smut, soot, sullage