la cal
lime
Sustancia blanca que se obtiene al quemar ciertas piedras y se usa para construir y pintar paredes.
Word: cal
Meaning in English:
"Cal" is a Spanish noun that primarily refers to lime, a white powdery substance composed mainly of calcium oxide, used in construction, agriculture, and various industrial processes.
Explanation:
- Cal comes from the Latin calx, meaning lime or limestone.
- It is commonly used in construction for making mortar and plaster.
- In agriculture, it is used to neutralize acidic soils.
Parts of the word:
- It is a simple, monosyllabic noun without prefixes or suffixes in this form.
Synonyms:
- Cal viva (quicklime)
- Cal apagada (slaked lime)
- Lima or caliza (though technically caliza refers to limestone, the base material)
Antonyms:
Since "cal" is a specific substance, antonyms don’t perfectly apply, but conceptually it can be contrasted with:
- Ácido (acid) — since lime is used to neutralize acidity.
Other uses or meanings:
- In some dialects or contexts, "cal" can mean chalk, which is chemically calcium carbonate, similar to limestone but with different uses.
In summary, cal is a basic construction and agricultural material known in English as lime, valued for its chemical properties in mixing and soil treatment.
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Examples
¿Sabes para qué se usa la cal en el campo?noun
Do you know what lime is used for in the countryside?
El obrero mezcló la cal con agua para hacer la masa.noun
The worker mixed the lime with water to make the paste.
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