a. [f. L. calc(i)- lime a pebble + -FORM; but see also 3.]
† 1. Of metals: In the state of CALX; oxidized.
1782. Withering, in Phil. Trans., LXX. 333. Iron in a calciform state.
1784. Kirwan, ibid. LXXIV. 160. Many calciform iron ores become magnetic by calcination.
1812. Sir H. Davy, Chem. Philos., 47. Thus, as the metals have been distinguished by the termination ‘um’ as ‘aurum,’ so their calciform or oxidated state might have been denoted by the termination ‘a’ as ‘aura.’
2. ‘Pebble-shaped’ (Syd. Soc. Lex., 1881).
3. [f. L. calx heel.] ‘Having a projection like a heel’ (Syd. Soc. Lex., 1881).
