definitions

talc

[ talk ]
/ tælk /
|
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noun

Also tal·cum [tal-kuh m] /ˈtæl kəm/. a green-to-gray, soft mineral, hydrous magnesium silicate, Mg3(Si4O10)(OH)2, unctuous to the touch, and occurring usually in foliated or compact masses, used in making lubricants, talcum powder, electrical insulation, etc.
talcum powder.

verb (used with object), talcked or talced [talkt] /tælkt/, talck·ing or talc·ing [tal-king] /ˈtæl kɪŋ/.

to treat or rub with talc.

RELATED WORDS

dust, crumb, pounce, grit, particle, seed, grain, meal, film

Nearby words

talavera, talavera de la reina, talayot, talbot, talbotype, talc, talca, talcahuano, talcose, talcosis, talcum

Origin of talc

1595–1605; < Medieval Latin talcum < Arabic ṭalq mica < Persian talk
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for talc

British Dictionary definitions for talc

talc

/ (tælk) /

noun Also: talcum

See talcum powder
a white, grey, brown, or pale green mineral, found in metamorphic rocks. It is used in the manufacture of talcum powder and electrical insulators. Composition: hydrated magnesium silicate. Formula: Mg 3 Si 4 O 10 (OH) 2 . Crystal structure: monoclinic

verb talcs, talcking, talcked, talcs, talcing or talced

(tr) to apply talc to

Derived Forms

talcose or talcous, adjective

Word Origin for talc

C16: from Medieval Latin talcum, from Arabic talq mica, from Persian talk
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Medicine definitions for talc

talc

[ tălk ]

n.

A fine-grained white, greenish, or gray mineral, having a soft soapy feel and used in talcum and face powder.talcum
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.

Science definitions for talc

talc

[ tălk ]

A very soft white, greenish, or gray monoclinic mineral usually occurring as massive micalike flakes in igneous or metamorphic rocks. It has a soapy texture and is used in face powder and talcum powder, for coating paper, and as a filler in paints and plastics. Chemical formula: Mg3Si4O10(OH)2.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.