rhizoverbBeta
DictionarytalcSoft mineral
noun

talc

TALK/tˈælk/

A soft mineral used in powders and industrial products.

The talc specimen lies beside a mortar of fine powder.

A pale green, pearly talc mineral specimen beside a small mortar containing its fine white powder, with a broken fragment showing the mineral's soft, flaky structure.
Etymology
talcFrenchtalc

French talc supplies the mineral name. Arab and medieval writers used the name more broadly for transparent or shiny minerals, including mica and selenite, rather than only the mineral now used as an absorbent powder.

In context

Periscope Group0:03
talc is a mineral made up mainly of the elements magnesium silicon and oxygen in its powdered form talc absorbs moisture well
How Talcum Powder Works

More examples

  • The powder contained finely ground talc.
  • Talc gave the material a smooth feel.
  • The laboratory identified talc in the rock.

Forms

talc

Similar words

chalk
Chalk is a different mineral-based material; talc is a very soft silicate mineral.
powder
Powder describes a physical form; talc is one material that can be powdered.