talc

[ talk ]

noun

1. Also tal·cum [] a green-to-gray, soft mineral, hydrous magnesium silicate, Mg 3 (Si 4 O 10 )(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 or talced [talkt], talck·ing or talc·ing [tal, -king].

1. to treat or rub with talc.

talc

/ tælk /

noun

1. See talcum powder
   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

/ tălk /

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 .

Derived Forms

• ˈtalcose, 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

According to Benesh, the FDA doesn’t have the authority to intervene in situations like the talc baby powder case, even when it knows consumers are actively being harmed.

From Popular-Science

Take, for example, the asbestos found in talc baby powder connected to thousands of cases of cancer—the potential danger of which the manufacturer, Johnson & Johnson, knew about for over 40 years.

From Popular-Science

Granular quartz-rock of several varieties: and indistinct specimens of a rock approaching to talc-slate.

From Project Gutenberg

Add sufficient powdered talc to give the mass the necessary consistency.

From Project Gutenberg

It occurs in beds (talc-slate), and is often met with in districts occupied by metamorphic crystalline rocks.

From Project Gutenberg

The three last-mentioned minerals—talc, serpentine, and chlorite—are all silicates of magnesia.

From Project Gutenberg

Talc is a silvery white, grayish, pale or dark-green coloured mineral, with a pearly lustre.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• crumb
• dust