caulk
or calk
[ kawk ]
/ kɔk /
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verb (used with object)
to fill or close seams or crevices of (a tank, window, etc.) in order to make watertight, airtight, etc.
to make (a vessel) watertight by filling the seams between the planks with oakum or other material driven snug.
to fill or close (a seam, joint, etc.), as in a boat.
to drive the edges of (plating) together to prevent leakage.
noun
Also caulk·ing [kaw-king]. /ˈkɔ kɪŋ/. a material or substance used for caulking.
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Origin of caulk
1350–1400; <Latin calcāre “to trample, tread on” (verbal derivative of calx “heel”), conflated with Middle English cauken <Old French cauquer “to trample” <Latin, as above
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Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
Example sentences from the Web for caulk
British Dictionary definitions for caulk
caulk
calk
/ (kɔːk) /
verb
to stop up (cracks, crevices, etc) with a filler
nautical to pack (the seams) between the planks of the bottom of (a vessel) with waterproof material to prevent leakage
Derived forms of caulk
caulker or calker, nounWord Origin for caulk
C15: from Old Northern French cauquer to press down, from Latin calcāre to trample, from calx heel
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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