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calcium

   Also found in: Medical, Financial, Acronyms, Encyclopedia, Wikipedia, Hutchinson 0.30 sec.
cal·ci·um  (kls-m)
n. Symbol Ca
A silvery, moderately hard metallic element that constitutes approximately 3 percent of the earth's crust and is a basic component of most animals and plants. It occurs naturally in limestone, gypsum, and fluorite, and its compounds are used to make plaster, quicklime, Portland cement, and metallurgic and electronic materials. Atomic number 20; atomic weight 40.08; melting point 842 to 848°C; boiling point 1,487°C; specific gravity 1.55; valence 2. See Table at element.

[Latin calx, calc-, lime; see calx + -ium.]

calcium
Noun
Chem a soft silvery-white metallic element found in bones, teeth, limestone, and chalk Symbol: Ca[Latin calx lime]

calcium  (kls-m)
Symbol Ca
A silvery-white, moderately hard metallic element of the alkaline-earth group that occurs in limestone and gypsum. It is a basic component of leaves, bones, teeth, and shells, and is essential for the normal growth and development of most animals and plants. Calcium is used to make plaster, cement, and alloys. Atomic number 20; atomic weight 40.08; melting point 842 to 848°C; boiling point 1,487°C; specific gravity 1.55; valence 2. See Periodic Table.
ThesaurusLegend:  Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
Noun1.calciumcalcium - a white metallic element that burns with a brilliant light; the fifth most abundant element in the earth's crust; an important component of most plants and animals
metal, metallic element - any of several chemical elements that are usually shiny solids that conduct heat or electricity and can be formed into sheets etc.
fluor, fluorite, fluorspar - a soft mineral (calcium fluoride) that is fluorescent in ultraviolet light; chief source of fluorine
gypsum - a common white or colorless mineral (hydrated calcium sulphate) used to make cements and plasters (especially plaster of Paris)
burnt lime, calcined lime, calcium oxide, calx, fluxing lime, quicklime, unslaked lime, lime - a white crystalline oxide used in the production of calcium hydroxide
limestone - a sedimentary rock consisting mainly of calcium that was deposited by the remains of marine animals
calcium ion, factor IV - ion of calcium; a factor in the clotting of blood
Translations
Spanish calcium [ˈkælsɪəm] ncalcio
French calcium [ˈkælsɪəm] ncalcium m
German calcium [ˈkælsɪəm] nKalzium nt
Italian calcium [ˈkælsɪəm] ncalcio

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? Mentioned in ? References in periodicals archive
 
Once again, calcium supplements reduced the risk of fractures, but only in women who actually took their pills.
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Several brands of antacids promote their calcium content as well.
 
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