gypsum

gyp·sum  (jpsm)

n.

A widespread colorless, white, or yellowish mineral, CaSO₄·2H₂O, used in the manufacture of plaster of Paris, various plaster products, and fertilizers.

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[Middle English gipsum, from Latin gypsum, from Greek gupsos, probably of Semitic origin; akin to Arabic jibs, ji, ja, from Akkadian gau.]

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gypsum

Noun

a mineral used in making plaster of Paris [Greek gupsos]

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gypsum  (jpsm)

A colorless, white, or pinkish mineral. Gypsum occurs as individual blade-shaped crystals or as massive beds in sedimentary rocks, especially those formed through the evaporation of saline-rich water. It is used in manufacturing plasterboard, cement, and fertilizers. Chemical formula: CaSO₄·2H₂O.

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

gypsum - a common white or colorless mineral (hydrated calcium sulphate) used to make cements and plasters (especially plaster of Paris) atomic number 20, Ca, 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 animals mineral - solid homogeneous inorganic substances occurring in nature having a definite chemical composition alabaster - a compact fine-textured, usually white gypsum used for carving gesso - gypsum or plaster of Paris spread on a surface to make it suitable for painting or gilding (or a surface so prepared) terra alba - finely pulverized gypsum used especially as a pigment calcium sulfate, calcium sulphate - a white salt (CaSO4) plaster of Paris, plaster - any of several gypsum cements; a white powder (a form of calcium sulphate) that forms a paste when mixed with water and hardens into a solid; used in making molds and sculptures and casts for broken limbs