Talcum
/ˈtæl.kəm/noun
A fine powder made from talc, used especially for absorbing moisture or as a cosmetic.
Did you know?Talcum ultimately comes from a word for talc, a mineral long prized for its slippery feel and used in powders, carvings, and cosmetics across the ancient Mediterranean.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
τάλκων / talkon
“A mineral name for talc or a similar soft stone”
Late Latin
Latin
talcum
“Talc, a soft mineral used in powders and ointments”
Old French
OF
talc
“Talc; a soft, soapy mineral”
16th Century
English
talc
“The soft mineral talc”
18th Century
English
talcum
“Powder made from talc; later, cosmetic powder”