temporary hardness

noun

: the portion of the total hardness of water that is removable by boiling whereby the soluble bicarbonates of calcium and magnesium are converted into the corresponding insoluble carbonates and are precipitated

—distinguished from permanent hardness

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

• More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
• Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
• Advanced search features
• Ad free!