talc

[talk]

noun

1. Also talcum a green-to-gray, soft mineral, hydrous magnesium silicate, Mg 3 (Si 4 O10 )(OH) 2 , unctuous to the touch, and occurring usually in foliated or compact masses, used in making lubricants, talcum powder, electrical insulation, etc.

2. talcum powder.

verb (used with object)

talcked, talced, talcking, talcing. 

1. to treat or rub with talc.

talc

/ tælk /

noun

1. See talcum powder

2. 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

1. (tr) to apply talc to

talc

1. 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: Mg ₃ Si ₄ O ₁₀ (OH) ₂ .

Other Word Forms

• talcose adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of talc¹

1595–1605; < Medieval Latin talcum < Arabic ṭalq mica < Persian talk

Word History and Origins

Origin of talc¹

C16: from Medieval Latin talcum, from Arabic talq mica, from Persian talk

Example Sentences

Investors wondered why Kimberly-Clark was willing to buy a company with weakening sales and sizable potential legal liability related to Tylenol and talc.

Read more on Barron's

Johnson & Johnson retained responsibility for talc litigation in the two countries after the spinoff, but Kenvue is responsible for talc litigation elsewhere.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

In addition to assuming potential litigation risk for the Tylenol brand and talc lawsuits outside the U.S.,

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Ms Naidu, Ms Lynch and Mr Watson had been accused of using two colour blasters filled with cornflour, talc and an orange dye to spray the monument in a protest on 19 June 2024.

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"The claim, which covers the period from 1965 to 2023, details how Johnson & Johnson knew that their talc products contained carcinogenic fibres, including asbestos, for more than 50 years," KP Law said.

Read more on Barron's

Related Words

• crumb 
• dust