Definition of chalk

The word "chalk" has its origins in Old English, derived from the Proto-Germanic word "kalkiz," which was related to the Proto-Indo-European root "kel-" meaning "burnt" or "ceniferous." This refers to the fact that chalk was often obtained from burnt or calcined shells or limestone. The Old English word "cealc" or "calk" referred to both the soft, white mineral and its writing instrument counterpart, and was later modified to "chalk" in Middle English. The term was first used to describe the mineral in the 9th century, and by the 10th century, it had become a common writing instrument. Over time, the term "chalk" has expanded to include other forms of soft, white rock, such as gypsum or calcium carbonate, but its original meaning and association with writing and education remain closely tied to its origins.