chalk
UK: tʃɔːk | US: tʃɑːk
n. a soft white limestone (calcium carbonate) used for writing or drawing
n. a stick of this material
vt. to mark, write, or draw with chalk
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Derived from Old English "cealc," borrowed from Latin "calx" (limestone, lime), which traces back to Greek "khalix" (pebble). The word’s evolution reflects its material origin—initially referring to the mineral itself, later specializing to the writing tool. The Latin-to-Old English transition preserved the core meaning while adapting phonetically ("calx" → "cealc" → "chalk").
The teacher wrote the lesson on the blackboard with white chalk.
Climbers use chalk to keep their hands dry on rocky surfaces.
She chalked a rough sketch of the landscape on the pavement.
The cliffs of Dover are famous for their white chalk deposits.
He marked the playing field boundaries with colored chalk.