cal·ci·um (k l s - 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]
ThesaurusLegend: Synonyms Related Words Antonyms | Noun | 1. | calcium - 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 animalsmetal, 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) limestone - a sedimentary rock consisting mainly of calcium that was deposited by the remains of marine animals |
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