decalcify

American  

[dee-kal-suh-fahy] / diˈkæl səˌfaɪ /

verb (used with object)

decalcified, decalcifying

1. to deprive of lime or calcareous matter, as a bone.

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verb (used without object)

decalcified, decalcifying

1. to become decalcified.

decalcify British  

/ diːˌkælsɪfɪˈkeɪʃən, diːˈkælsɪˌfaɪ /

verb

1. (tr) to remove calcium or lime from (bones, teeth, etc)

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Other Word Forms

• decalcification
  noun
• decalcifier
  noun
• nondecalcified
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of decalcify

First recorded in 1840–50; de- + calcify

Example Sentences

Decalcify, de-kal′si-fī, v.i. to deprive of lime: to take the calcareous matter out of bones, teeth, &c.—n.

From Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 1 of 4: A-D) by Various