cement

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   concrete pavement is sometimes referred to as cement

   They stood on the grey cement beside the pool.

2. 2
   verb

   to make fast as if with cement

   We cemented our friendship by going to see a film.

3. 3
   noun

   A powdered substance produced by firing (calcining) calcium carbonate (limestone) and clay that develops strong cohesive properties when mixed with water. The main ingredient of concrete.

   In the autumn there was a row at some cement works about the unskilled labour men. A union had just been started for them and all but a few joined. One of these blacklegs was laid for by a picket and knocked out of time.

4. 4
   noun

   A bond of union; that which unites firmly, as persons in friendship or in society.

   The cement of our love.

Appears in

Simplified etymology

Cement came into Middle English from Old French ciment, ultimately from Latin caementum, meaning “quarry stone.” It originally denoted material added to mortar to produce something closer to concrete.

From Middle English syment, cyment, from Old French ciment, from Latin caementum (“quarry stone; stone chips for making mortar”), from caedō (“to cut, hew”). Doublet of cementum.

Topics

External links

• Google Images
• Cambridge Dictionary
• Wiktionary