talcum powder

[ tal-kuhm ]

noun

1. a powder made of purified, usually perfumed talc, for toilet purposes.

talcum powder

/ ˈtælkəm /

noun

1. a powder made of purified talc, usually scented, used for perfuming the body and for absorbing excess moisture Often shortened totalc

Word History and Origins

Origin of talcum powder¹

1885–90; < Medieval Latin talcum talc

Example Sentences

Talc is a mineral that is sometimes used in talcum powders and other cosmetic products, according to Cancer Research UK.

From BBC

Johnson & Johnson is making another attempt at using a contentious legal technique to end a decade-long battle over claims that its talcum powder products caused cancer.

From New York Times

J&J vowed to remove all its baby powders containing talcum powder worldwide by the end of this year.

From Seattle Times

At 60, women were expected to resign themselves to getting nothing but talcum powder and soap sets for their birthdays and watching everyone else have all the fun.

From Los Angeles Times

A federal judge rejected the company’s second effort to use a subsidiary’s bankruptcy filing to resolve lawsuits over claims that its talcum powder products caused cancer.

From New York Times