Definition

A powdery substance that remains after a mineral or metal has been heated to a high temperature, causing it to break down.

Example

After the metal was heated, the calx formed a fine powder on the surface.

Conversation

Did you see the calx left over from the metal we roasted yesterday?

Yeah, it was interesting to see how it changed after heating.

I didn't expect it to leave such a crumbly residue of calx.

Me neither! It was a cool experiment.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Calx originates from Latin 'calx', meaning lime or limestone. It refers to the powdery residue left after burning limestone, often used in construction and agriculture.

Memory Tip

Think of 'calx' as the Latin word for lime, which helps you remember that it refers to a substance derived from limestone.

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