chaux

lime

noun SHOH Rare

Origin: Latin 'calx' (limestone)

Also means

calcium oxide

Usage Note

Chaux can mean quicklime (chaux vive) used in construction, or slaked lime (chaux éteinte) used for whitewashing. The phrase lait de chaux (limewash) is common in painting and masonry; the word has no plural form in standard usage.

Examples

"Les murs étaient badigeonnés de chaux blanche."

Natural Translation

The walls were whitewashed with white lime.

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