Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

calx

/kælks/

Word Rarity Very rare

Frequency: 1.10 in modern English

Syllables: calx
IPA: /kælks/

13

Scrabble Score

4

Letters

1

Syllables

4

Unique Chars

Meaning

noun

The substance which remains after a metal or mineral has been thoroughly burnt, once seen as being the essential substance left after the expulsion of phlogiston, but now recognised as being the metallic oxide (or, in some cases, the metal in a state of sublimation).

noun

In the Eton College wall game, an area at the end of the field where a shy can be scored by lifting the ball against the wall with one's foot.

Example Sentences

"[S]ome ladies apply to what are termed coſmetics under various names, which crowd the newspapers. Of theſe the white has deſtroyed the health of thouſands; a calx, or magiſtery, of biſmuth is ſuppoſed to be ſold in the ſhops for this purpoſe; but it is either, I am informed, in part or entirely white lead or ceruffa. […] The real calx of biſmuth would probably have the ſame ill effect."
"The regeneration of mercury from its calx, without addition of any other substance, had been a chief example for anti-phlogiston, but that could, as Kirwan showed, be explained in a way consistent with phlogiston theory."

Etymology

From Latin calx (“lime”). Doublet of cauk and chalk.

Origin

Source language: Latin

Word Breakdown

Root: calx

Inflected Forms

calces (plural) calxes (plural)

Synonyms

calcium oxide quicklime lime calcined lime fluxing lime unslaked lime burnt lime

Rhymes With

falx calcs talcs

Questions

How do you pronounce calx?: The recorded pronunciation is /kælks/.
What does calx mean?: The substance which remains after a metal or mineral has been thoroughly burnt, once seen as being the essential substance left after the expulsion of phlogiston, but now recognised as being the metallic oxide (or, in some cases, the metal in a state of sublimation).
Where does calx come from?: It is traced to Latin.

How to pronounce calx

Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “calx”.
Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling (/kælks/) so you know which sounds to aim for.
Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “calx”.
Repeat and practice — Say “calx” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.