Word
calcite
Phoneticscal·cite, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈkæɫˌsaɪt/
UK/kˈælsaɪt/
Uncountable noun
Definition
n. a common mineral made of calcium carbonate, found in limestone, marble, and chalk. You often see it as white or clear crystals that break easily.
n. a crystalline form of calcium carbonate forming the main component of limestone, marble, and chalk. Relatively soft and rhombohedral in structure, dissolving readily in dilute acid with effervescence.
Examples
“Limestone contains a lot of calcite.”
“The students test the white crystals with acid to confirm the mineral is calcite.”
“Under polarized light, thin sections of marble reveal interlocking calcite grains whose twinkling extinction patterns record ancient tectonic stress.”
Examples
simple
“Limestone contains a lot of calcite.”
contextual
“The students test the white crystals with acid to confirm the mineral is calcite.”
complex
“Under polarized light, thin sections of marble reveal interlocking calcite grains whose twinkling extinction patterns record ancient tectonic stress.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “calcite” in context.
Verb
01. calcite fluoresces
“Under UV light, calcite fluoresces a soft pinkish red.”
noun + verb
02. calcite forms
“Calcite forms when calcium-rich water evaporates in caves.”
noun + verb
03. calcite reacts
“Calcite reacts briskly when a drop of dilute acid is applied.”
noun + verb
04. contain calcite
“Marble and chalk both contain calcite as their main mineral.”
verb + noun
05. deposit calcite
“Mineral springs deposit calcite as travertine around their edges.”
verb + noun
06. dissolve calcite
“Weak rainwater can slowly dissolve calcite in limestone pavements.”
verb + noun
Adjective
07. crystalline calcite
“Under the microscope, crystalline calcite shows sharp cleavage planes.”
adj + noun
Noun
08. crystal of calcite
“Each crystal of calcite breaks easily along flat planes.”
noun + prep + noun
09. grain of calcite
“Every grain of calcite in the sand came from eroded limestone.”
noun + prep + noun
10. a vein of pure calcite
“The miners discovered a vein of pure calcite in the limestone.”
11. calcite dissolves readily in acid
“Calcite dissolves readily in acid, which is why limestone erodes.”
12. crystals of transparent calcite
“The museum displays crystals of transparent calcite that split light.”
Real-World Examples
“Scientists from the universities of Reading and York report that the calcium carbonate (calcite) nodules dug up from archaeological sites give a unique measure of the ancient local temperatures.” “Researchers have demonstrated an idea for an invisibility cloak using calcite, a common crystalline material.” Etymology
From Latin calx + -ite.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Related words
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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