calcareous

Look at other dictionaries:

• Calcareous — refers to a sediment, sedimentary rock, or soil type which is formed from or contains a high proportion of calcium carbonate in the form of calcite or aragonite. Calcareous rock also refers to sediments derived near land. The carbon content is… …   Wikipedia

• Calcareous — Cal*ca re*ous, a. [L. calcarius pertaining to lime. See {Calx}.] Partaking of the nature of calcite or calcium carbonate; consisting of, or containing, calcium carbonate or carbonate of lime. [1913 Webster] {Calcareous spar}. See as {Calcite}.… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

• calcareous — 1670s, from L. calcarius of lime, from calx (gen. calcis) lime, limestone (see CHALK (Cf. chalk)) …   Etymology dictionary

• calcareous — ► ADJECTIVE ▪ containing calcium carbonate; chalky. ORIGIN Latin calcarius, from calx lime …   English terms dictionary

• calcareous — [kal ker′ē əs] adj. [L calcarius < calx: see CALCIUM] of, like, or containing calcium carbonate, calcium, or lime …   English World dictionary

• calcareous — calcareously, adv. calcareousness, n. /kal kair ee euhs/, adj. of, containing, or like calcium carbonate; chalky: calcareous earth. [1670 80; var. of calcarious < L calcarius of lime; see CALX, ARIOUS] * * * …   Universalium

• calcareous — cal•car•e•ous [[t]kælˈkɛər i əs[/t]] adj. mir of, containing, or like calcium carbonate; chalky: calcareous earth[/ex] • Etymology: 1670–80; var. of calcarious < L calcārius for burning lime cal•car′e•ous•ly, adv …   From formal English to slang

• calcareous — /kælˈkɛəriəs / (say kal kairreeuhs) adjective of, coated with, containing, or like calcium carbonate; chalky: calcareous earth. {variant of calcarious, from Latin calcārius relating to lime} …   Australian English dictionary

• calcareous — adjective Etymology: Latin calcarius of lime, from calc , calx Date: 1677 1. a. resembling calcite or calcium carbonate especially in hardness b. consisting of or containing calcium carbonate; also containing calcium …   New Collegiate Dictionary

• calcareous — adj. [L. calcarius, of lime] Composed of, containing, or of the nature of limestone or calcium carbonate …   Dictionary of invertebrate zoology

• calcareous — adjective Resembling or containing calcium carbonate or limestone; chalky …   Wiktionary