talc

C2 Topic:Materials & Substances

Also spelled talc-like

US /tælk/ UK /tælk/ See IPA manual

Freq #52660

Meanings

1

noun
an extremely soft hydrous magnesium silicate mineral with a greasy or soapy feel, used in ceramics, paint, paper, plastics, and powders

The mineral specimen was identified as talc because it could be scratched with a fingernail.
2

noun
talcum powder or another fine powder containing talc

The athlete dusted the inside of the gloves with talc.
3

noun
historical: a broader name for thin, transparent, foliated minerals such as mica, or a small plate made from one

The old microscope mounted its specimen on a transparent plate of talc.
4

verb
to apply talc or talcum powder to something

The technician talced the rubber mold before removing the casting.

Verb forms

Verb forms are not available for this word yet.

Thesaurus

Synonyms

1 noun · an extremely soft hydrous... talcum

2 noun · talcum powder or another... talcum powder

3 noun · historical: a broader name... mica plate

4 verb · to apply talc or talcum... powder

Word family

Forms talclike

Derived forms talcosetalcy

Related forms soapstonesteatitemicamagnesium silicateMohs scale

Etymology

Through French talc from Arabic talq, probably from Persian talk. Medieval and early modern writers used the name for several shining or transparent layered minerals; modern mineralogy narrowed it to hydrous magnesium silicate.

Topics

Materials & Substances Register & Style

External links

# talc

**Type:** Word
**Level:** C2
**Part of speech:** noun, verb
**IPA (US):** /tælk/
**IPA (UK):** /tælk/
**Frequency rank:** 52660

## Meanings
1. an extremely soft hydrous magnesium silicate mineral with a greasy or soapy feel, used in ceramics, paint, paper, plastics, and powders
2. talcum powder or another fine powder containing talc
3. historical: a broader name for thin, transparent, foliated minerals such as mica, or a small plate made from one
4. to apply talc or talcum powder to something

## Examples
- The mineral specimen was identified as talc because it could be scratched with a fingernail.
- The athlete dusted the inside of the gloves with talc.
- The old microscope mounted its specimen on a transparent plate of talc.
- The technician talced the rubber mold before removing the casting.

## Synonyms
- talcum
- talcum powder
- powder

## Derived Forms
- talcose
- talcy

## Related Forms
- soapstone
- steatite
- mica
- magnesium silicate
- Mohs scale

## Etymology
Through French talc from Arabic talq, probably from Persian talk. Medieval and early modern writers used the name for several shining or transparent layered minerals; modern mineralogy narrowed it to hydrous magnesium silicate.

## Topics
- Materials & Substances
- Register & Style

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