chalk

plural chalks · alternative dated chaulk

1. uncountableA soft, white, powdery limestone (calcium carbonate, CaCO₃).

   chalk cliffs are not recommended for climbing

2. countableA piece of chalk, or nowadays processed compressed gypsum (calcium sulfate, CaSO₄), that is used for drawing and for writing on a blackboard (chalkboard).
3. countableTailor's chalk.
4. uncountableclimbingA white powdery substance used to prevent hands slipping from holds when climbing, or losing grip in weight-lifting or gymnastics, sometimes but not always limestone-chalk, often magnesium carbonate (MgCO₃).

   when working out your next move, it's a good idea to get some more chalk from the bag

5. UScountablegovernmentA platoon-sized group of airborne soldiers.
6. UScountableuncountableball gamesThe favorite in a sporting event.
7. UScountableuncountableball gamesThe prediction that there will be no upsets, and the favored competitor will win.

   Instead, he played the chalk and selected the No. 1 overall seed in the tournament.

   2008 March 24, Jason Bauman, “Non-news of the week: Obama picks North Carolina”, in Beacon-News, Aurora, Illinois, archived from the original on 03 Mar 2012, retrieved 19 Mar 2009

   2 more examples

   OK, let's get rid of the chalk players right away. The chalk likes North Carolina. Dean Smith has taken Carolina to the Final Four six times.

   1982 March 22, Phil Musick, “And the pick here is - Georgetown over Houston”, in Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, page 13

   Excuse us for sticking with the chalk, but the predicted winners are Afternoon Deelites in the Derby, Oliver McCall over Larry Holmes, Nick Faldo in the Masters, and Al Unser Jr. in the Grand Prix.

   1995 April 6, “Notes on a Scorecard”, in Los Angeles Times, archived from the original on 06 Mar 2012, retrieved 19 Mar 2009, page C3

present singular third person chalks · participle present chalking · participle past chalked · past chalked · alternative dated chaulk

1. To apply chalk to anything, such as the tip of a billiard cue.

   chalk your hands before climbing

   1 more example

   After a leg stretch, we set off again at 11:30 hours in charge of U.S.A. No. 1736 (Miss Ohio had been chalked on her), a 2-8-0 utility engine.

   1944 January and February, Major J. C. F. Lloyd Williamson, “Ambulance Trains in Algeria and Tunisia”, in Railway Magazine, page 6

2. To record something, as on a blackboard, using chalk.
3. To use powdered chalk to mark the lines on a playing field.
4. figurativelyTo record a score or event, as if on a chalkboard.

   This Book it chaulketh out before thine eyes / The man that ſeeks the everlaſting Prize: / It ſhevvs you vvhence he comes, vvhither he goes, / VVhat he leaves undone; alſo vvhat he does: / It alſo ſhovvs you hovv he runs, and runs, / Till he unto the Gate of Glory comes.

   1678, John Bunyan, “The Author’s Apology for His Book”, in The Pilgrim’s Progress from This World, to That which is to Come: […], London: […] Nath[aniel] Ponder […], →OCLC

5. To manure (land) with chalk.

   Land that is chalked

   1707, J[ohn] Mortimer, The Whole Art of Husbandry; or, The Way of Managing and Improving of Land. […], London: […] J[ohn] H[umphreys] for H[enry] Mortlock […], and J[onathan] Robinson […], →OCLC

6. To make white, as if with chalk; to make pale; to bleach.

   Fear Stared in her eyes, and chalked her face

   1847, Alfred Tennyson, “(please specify the page number, or |part=Prologue, I to VII, or conclusion)”, in The Princess: A Medley, London: Edward Moxon, […], →OCLC

plural Chalks

1. countableuncountableA surname.
2. countableuncountableA suburban village attached to the east side of Gravesend, Gravesham borough, Kent, England (OS grid ref TQ6773).First known use 1086