calcar

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   anatomy and zoology: a spur-shaped projection or process

   The calcar forms a small spur-like projection beside the cavity.

2. 2
   noun

   historical: a small furnace used to calcine sand and potash in glassmaking

   Workers heated sand and potash in the calcar before the mixture entered the glass furnace.

The anatomical noun is from Latin calcar ("spur"), whose shape supplied the comparison. The furnace noun has a separate history through Italian calcara ("lime kiln"), ultimately related to Latin calx ("lime").

Topics

External links

• Cambridge Dictionary
• Wiktionary
• Google Images