gypsum

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   a soft white or colorless mineral consisting of hydrated calcium sulfate, widely used to make plaster, cement, and wallboard

   The builders used gypsum panels to form the interior walls.

From Latin gypsum, from Ancient Greek gypsos ("chalk, gypsum, plaster"). Gesso, the artist's plaster preparation, is a later doublet that reached English through Italian.

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