Chalk

Chalk (cha̤k), n. [AS. cealc lime, from L. calx limestone. See Calz, and Cawk.] 1. (Min.) A soft, earthy substance, of a white, grayish, or yellowish white color, consisting of calcium carbonate, and having the same composition as common limestone.

2. (Fine Arts) Finely prepared chalk, used as a drawing implement; also, by extension, a compound, as of clay and black lead, or the like, used in the same manner. See Crayon.

Black chalk, a mineral of a bluish color, of a slaty texture, and soiling the fingers when handled; a variety of argillaceous slate. — By a long chalk, by a long way; by many degrees. [Slang] Lowell. — Chalk drawing (Fine Arts), a drawing made with crayons. See Crayon. — Chalk formation. See Cretaceous formation, under Cretaceous. — Chalk line, a cord rubbed with chalk, used for making straight lines on boards or other material, as a guide in cutting or in arranging work. — Chalk mixture, a preparation of chalk, cinnamon, and sugar in gum water, much used in diarrheal affection, esp. of infants. — Chalk period. (Geol.) See Cretaceous period, under Cretaceous. - - Chalk pit, a pit in which chalk is dug. — Drawing chalk. See Crayon, n., 1. — French chalk, steatite or soapstone, a soft magnesian mineral. — Red chalk, an indurated clayey ocher containing iron, and used by painters and artificers; reddle.

Chalk, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Chalked; p. pr. & vb. n. Chalking.] 1. To rub or mark with chalk.

2. To manure with chalk, as land. Morimer.

3. To make white, as with chalk; to make pale; to bleach. Tennyson.

Let a bleak paleness chalk the door. Herbert.

To chalk out, to sketch with, or as with, chalk; to outline; to indicate; to plan. [Colloq.] "I shall pursue the plan I have chalked out." Burke.