calcareous

[ kal-kair-ee-uhs ]

adjective

1. of, containing, or like calcium carbonate; chalky:

   calcareous earth.

calcareous

/ kælˈkɛərɪəs /

adjective

1. of, containing, or resembling calcium carbonate; chalky

calcareous

/ kăl-kâr′ē-əs /

1. Composed of or containing calcium or calcium carbonate. Calcareous rocks contain as much as 50 percent calcium carbonate.

Other Words From

• cal·care·ous·ly adverb
• cal·care·ous·ness noun
• noncal·care·ous adjective
• subcal·care·ous adjective
• uncal·care·ous adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of calcareous¹

1670–80; variant of calcarious < Latin calcārius of lime; calx, -ary ( def )

Word History and Origins

Origin of calcareous¹

C17: from Latin calcārius, from calx lime

Example Sentences

The Mediterranean coral reef, formed by the accumulation of calcareous organisms, is home to more than 1,600 marine species that have been affected by the rise of water temperatures over the last years.

From Science Daily

The researchers analysed the isotopic composition of oxygen in a stalagmite formed from calcareous water in a cave in southern Germany.

From Science Daily

Among other things, the researchers determined the isotopic and elemental composition of the calcareous shells of plankton.

From Science Daily

The permit, which Science has seen, authorized Frey to transport “two boxes containing calcareous samples with fossils, without any commercial value, with the main objective to proceed with paleontological studies” at SMNK.

From Science Magazine

Because hard-shelled, calcareous eggs, like those of birds, are reinforced by crystalline calcium carbonate, they are well represented in the fossil record.

From Nature