quicklime
2 synonyms for quicklime, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — Quicklime is calcium oxide, a substance made by heating limestone and turned into slaked lime when water is added to it.
Synonyms
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
burnt lime
caustic lime
How to use quicklime
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
heat limestone into quicklime
slake quicklime with water
spread quicklime on the soil
It is a technical and industrial term, most often met in chemistry, building trades and farming.
Etymology
Quicklime comes from Middle English quyk lym, formed from quick and lime. Here quick keeps its old sense of active or lively, pointing to how fiercely the substance reacts with water.
Full origin of quicklime →Frequently asked questions
What is quicklime used for?
It is used to make mortar and cement, to treat soil, and to produce slaked lime by adding water.
Is quicklime dangerous to handle?
It reacts strongly with water and can burn skin, so it needs careful handling and protective equipment.
What is the difference between quicklime and slaked lime?
Quicklime is calcium oxide; adding water to it produces slaked lime, a different, less reactive compound.
