calcite

noun

cal·​cite ˈkal-ˌsīt 

: a mineral CaCO₃ consisting of calcium carbonate crystallized in hexagonal form and including common limestone, chalk, and marble compare aragonite

calcitic

kal-ˈsi-tik 

adjective

Examples of calcite in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Found in shallow pools of water saturated with the mineral calcite, they are usually detached from the floor, walls or ceiling of the cave, unlike most speleothems. —Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 11 Dec. 2024

Longhorn Cavern State Park, Burnet Longhorn Cavern is an ancient underground riverbed, covered in calcite crystals and home to millions of bats. —Brandi D. Addison, Austin American-Statesman, 19 Apr. 2024

Earth’s earliest forms of calcite, for example, developed through the watery alteration of meteorites; microbes then began to build other calcite structures 2.5 billion years ago, whereas snails and clams created new combinations beginning only 100 million years ago. —Paul Voosen, science.org, 1 Nov. 2024

It's named for its beautiful onyx formations, a type of banded calcite that gives the cave its distinctive appearance. —Tiffany Acosta, The Arizona Republic, 3 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1840, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

calcite

noun

cal·​cite ˈkal-ˌsīt 

: a mineral substance made up of calcium carbonate and found in numerous forms including limestone, chalk, and marble

calcitic

kal-ˈsit-ik 

adjective

Medical Definition

calcite

noun

cal·​cite ˈkal-ˌsīt 

: a mineral CaCO₃ consisting of calcium carbonate crystallized in hexagonal form and including common limestone, chalk, and marble

calcitic

kal-ˈsit-ik 

adjective