calc

¹ American  

[kalk] / kælk /

noun

Informal.

1. a calculator, especially a small portable one.

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calc- ² American  

1. a combining form of calcareous: calc-tufa.

2. variant of calci- before a vowel: calcic.

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calc. ³ American  

abbreviation

1. calculate.

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calc- British  

combining form

1. a variant of calci-

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Usage

What does calc- mean? The combining form calc- is used like a prefix that has two distinct but related senses. The first of these senses is “calcareous,” a scientific term meaning "chalky" or "containing calcium carbonate." Calcium carbonate is a chemical compound found in many forms, particularly as lime and chalk. This form of calc- is occasionally used in a variety of scientific and technical terms, particularly in mineralogy and geology. The form calc- ultimately comes from Latin calx, meaning “lime” or "limestone."The second of these senses is “calcium,” particularly referring to "calcium salt" or "calcite." Though this form calc- also ultimately comes from Latin calx, it is rarely used in scientific terms. Another meaning of the Latin calx is "heel," the part of the foot, and some terms from biology, such as calcar, derive from this Latin word. Find out more at our entry for calx. What are variants of calc- with the sense “calcium”?The form calc- is a variant of calci-, which loses its -i- when combined with words or word elements beginning with vowels. Want to know more? Read our Words That Use article for calci-.

Etymology

Origin of calc¹

By shortening

Origin of calc-²

< German Kalk lime < Latin calc- (stem of calx ) lime, limestone; see calx, chalk

Example Sentences

I don’t know how to get past whatever mental block has me refreshing Twitter rather than doing calc homework.

From Slate • May 7, 2020

I tried to stay focused on my coming calc exam, but I was starting to feel like maybe there was more string to the story.

From "Paper Towns" by John Green

The second bell rang, and Radar and I raced to calc.

From "Paper Towns" by John Green

Shuts the calc book, sets it aside, and swings her legs around so she’s sitting on the edge of the bed.

From "Dear Martin" by Nic Stone

Her: Yes, even though I had to close yesterday AND Saturday AND I had this calc stuff that is like reading Sanskrit AND I had to wear the Chuckle costume like twelve separate times.

From "Turtles All the Way Down" by John Green