calcareous

[ kal-kair-ee-uhs ]

adjective

1. of, containing, or like calcium carbonate; chalky:

   calcareous earth.

calcareous

/ kælˈkɛərɪəs /

adjective

1. of, containing, or resembling calcium carbonate; chalky

calcareous

/ kăl-kâr′ē-əs /

1. Composed of or containing calcium or calcium carbonate. Calcareous rocks contain as much as 50 percent calcium carbonate.

Other Words From

• cal·care·ous·ly adverb
• cal·care·ous·ness noun
• noncal·care·ous adjective
• subcal·care·ous adjective
• uncal·care·ous adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of calcareous¹

1670–80; variant of calcarious < Latin calcārius of lime; calx, -ary ( def )

Word History and Origins

Origin of calcareous¹

C17: from Latin calcārius, from calx lime

Example Sentences

The rocks of the island are principally calcareous and in a very advanced state of decomposition.

From Project Gutenberg

Calcareous incrustations, including fragments of madrepores, and of shells, cemented by splintery carbonate of lime.

From Project Gutenberg

Along this road there are extensive tracts of ground covered with calcareous petrifactions.

From Project Gutenberg

The summits of the calcareous hills which stretch eastward from the great chain of the Cordillera are broken and rugged.

From Project Gutenberg

The tests of other creatures largely calcareous may well have been dissolved before reaching the sea-floor.

From Project Gutenberg