Calcium
/ˈkæl.si.əm/noun
A chemical element with the symbol Ca and atomic number 20, essential for living organisms.
Did you know?The name 'calcium' derives from 'calx', the Latin term for lime, which was historically used in alchemical processes, symbolizing transformation and purity.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*kal-
“to be warm, to be hot, related to lime's reaction with water.”
Latin
Latin
calx
“lime, the product of burning limestone, important in ancient construction and alchemy.”
Middle Ages
Old French
calcie
“the term used for lime, foundational in the development of various compounds.”
18th Century
English
calcium
“coined from 'calx' by Sir Humphry Davy, symbolizing the discovery of a new element.”