calc

¹ American  

[kalk] / kælk /

noun

Informal.

1. a calculator, especially a small portable one.

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calc- ² American  

1. a combining form of calcareous: calc-tufa.

2. variant of calci- before a vowel: calcic.

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calc. ³ American  

abbreviation

1. calculate.

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calc- British  

combining form

1. a variant of calci-

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Usage

What does calc- mean? The combining form calc- is used like a prefix that has two distinct but related senses.The first of these senses is “calcareous,” a scientific term meaning "chalky" or "containing calcium carbonate." Calcium carbonate is a chemical compound found in many forms, particularly as lime and chalk. This form of calc- is occasionally used in a variety of scientific and technical terms, particularly in mineralogy and geology. The form calc- ultimately comes from Latin calx, meaning “lime” or "limestone."The second of these senses is “calcium,” particularly referring to "calcium salt" or "calcite." Though this form calc- also ultimately comes from Latin calx, it is rarely used in scientific terms.Another meaning of the Latin calx is "heel," the part of the foot, and some terms from biology, such as calcar, derive from this Latin word. Find out more at our entry for calx.What are variants of calc- with the sense “calcium”?The form calc- is a variant of calci-, which loses its -i- when combined with words or word elements beginning with vowels. Want to know more? Read our Words That Use article for calci-.

Etymology

Origin of calc¹

By shortening

Origin of calc-²

< German Kalk lime < Latin calc- (stem of calx ) lime, limestone; calx, chalk

Example Sentences

I don’t know how to get past whatever mental block has me refreshing Twitter rather than doing calc homework.

From Slate • May 7, 2020

I slumped into calc after her, not making any eye contact at all, and taking a seat at the back of the class, so Gillian couldn’t even look at me from behind.

From "Tradition" by Brendan Kiely

“Yay! All right, I have to get to calc, but okay—great! I’ll meet you outside the atrium?”

From "Leah on the Offbeat" by Becky Albertalli

I became extremely tired during calc first period.

From "Paper Towns" by John Green

“Um, it’s, you know, fine, as far as calc grades go...,”

From "From Twinkle, with Love" by Sandhya Menon