talc

noun

1
: a very soft mineral that is a basic silicate of magnesium, has a soapy feel, and is used especially in making talcum powder
2
talcose adjective

Examples of talc in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The official unsecured creditors committee in November filed a motion seeking to transfer the case from Texas to Montana, noting that Barretts has its headquarters in that state and conducts its primary business of talc mining there. Alexander Gladstone, WSJ, 8 Dec. 2023 It’s formulated without mineral oil, parabens, or talc. Nicol Natale, Peoplemag, 13 Feb. 2024 Caregivers love that the Klee Naturals line is made with nontoxic ingredients like beeswax, shea butter, and mango seed butter, without any talc, artificial dyes, or synthetic fragrances. Rich Scherr, Parents, 9 Jan. 2024 Photo: brendan mcdermid/Reuters The push by creditors of Barretts Minerals to move the talc supplier’s chapter 11 case out of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Houston was blocked by presiding judge Marvin Isgur, according to a court filing Thursday. Alexander Gladstone, WSJ, 8 Dec. 2023 Thousands of lawsuits filed against Johnson & Johnson claim the talc powder had caused customers to develop either ovarian cancer or mesothelioma. Danielle Bacher, Peoplemag, 18 Oct. 2023 Barretts supplied talc for cosmetic products alleged to have caused injuries primarily from exposure to asbestos supposedly contained in the products. Becky Yerak, WSJ, 28 Nov. 2023 Over 40 years of studies by independent medical experts around the world supports that cosmetic talc is safe, does not contain asbestos and does not cause cancer. Danielle Bacher, Peoplemag, 18 Oct. 2023 Many talc claimants oppose allowing a trustee to set awards and want to take their cases to court. Jef Feeley, Fortune, 26 Oct. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'talc.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

French, from Middle French talk, from Medieval Latin talc, talcum, from Arabic ṭalq

First Known Use

1610, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of talc was in 1610

Dictionary Entries Near talc

Cite this Entry

“Talc.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/talc. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

talc

noun
: a very soft mineral that consists of a silicate of magnesium, has a soapy feel, and is used especially in making talcum powder

Medical Definition

talc

noun
: a very soft mineral Mg3Si4O10(OH)2 that is a basic silicate of magnesium, has a soapy feel, and is used especially in making talcum powder

More from Merriam-Webster on talc

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