chalk

noun

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

   “chalk cliffs are not recommended for climbing”

2. (countable)A piece of chalk, or nowadays processed compressed gypsum (calcium sulfate, CaSO₄), that is used for drawing and for writing on a blackboard (chalkboard).
3. (countable)Tailor's chalk.
4. (uncountable)A 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. (US, countable)A platoon-sized group of airborne soldiers.
6. (US, countable, uncountable)The favorite in a sporting event.
7. (US, countable, uncountable)The prediction that there will be no upsets, and the favored competitor will win.

   “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.”

   “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.”

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

verb

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

   “chalk your hands before climbing”

   “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.”

2. To record something, as on a blackboard, using chalk.
3. To use powdered chalk to mark the lines on a playing field.
4. (figuratively)To 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.”

5. To manure (land) with chalk.

   “Land that is chalked”

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

   “Fear Stared in her eyes, and chalked her face”

name

1. (countable, uncountable)A surname.
2. (countable, uncountable)A suburban village attached to the east side of Gravesend, Gravesham borough, Kent, England (OS grid ref TQ6773).