calcareous definitions

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2005)

adj
1: composed of or containing or resembling calcium carbonate or calcite or chalk [syn: calcareous, chalky]

Merriam Webster's

adjective Etymology: Latin calcarius of lime, from calc-, calx Date: 1677 1. a. resembling calcite or calcium carbonate especially in hardness b. consisting of or containing calcium carbonate; also containing calcium 2. growing on limestone or in soil impregnated with lime • calcareously adverb

Oxford Reference Dictionary

adj. (also calcarious) of or containing calcium carbonate; chalky. Etymology: L calcarius (as CALX)

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Calcareous Cal*ca"re*ous, a. [L. calcarius pertaining to lime. See Calx.] Partaking of the nature of calcite or calcium carbonate; consisting of, or containing, calcium carbonate or carbonate of lime. Calcareous spar. See as Calcite.

Soule's Dictionary of English Synonyms

a. Limy.