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calcium

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Etymology and origin of the Latin word calcium

Confidence
Established
Formation
Derivation
First attested
1808, Humphry Davy
Ultimate origin
Latin calx#2
Etymology tree
inherited borrowed derived
Latin calx
Latin calcium
Italian calcio
From the same root
Latin calcaneum ← calx
Latin calcar ← calx
Latin calculus ← calx
English calcium ← calcium

Pronunciation

  • Classical: [ˈkaɫ.ki.ũː][1]
  • Ecclesiastical: [ˈkal̠ʲ.t͡ʃi.um][1]

Forms

calcium n (genitive calciī); second declension[1]

Etymology

It is from Latin calx2 (“lime, limestone”) + -ium, with the ending used for chemical elements.[1][2] The English chemist Humphry Davy coined it in 1808, when he became the first to isolate the metal.[2]

Earliest recorded meaning

Humphry Davy named the element in 1808.[2]

Semantic evolution

The New Latin name passed into the Romance languages as French calcium, Italian and Spanish calcio, Portuguese cálcio and Romanian calciu.[1]

Timeline

  • 1808 – Humphry Davy isolates the metal and names it.[2]

Meanings

Noun

  1. (New Latin) calcium, the chemical element.[1][2]

Usage notes

In medieval British sources calcium is also a spelling of calceus “shoe”.[3]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
  2. ^ a b c d e Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
  3. ^ Latham, R. E., D. R. Howlett, R. K. Ashdowne, et al. (1975–2013), Dictionary of Medieval Latin from British Sources, London: British Academy / Oxford University Press

Borrowed into

Descendants

Cite this entry

“Calcium.” Etymologically, 23 Oct. 2026, etymologically.com/la/calcium. Accessed 23 Oct. 2026.

Last edited on . ·