Calks

Part of speech: noun, verb

Definitions

1. To fit tight seams or attachments, such as sealing boats or roofs; to apply a soft material to fill gaps or spaces in construction; to prevent leakage or intrusion by reinforcing edges or surfaces with a waterproof barrier
2. To secure edges or joints by inserting a flexible sealing material, commonly used in carpentry and plumbing; to apply a compound to stop water from penetrating or escaping; to improve durability by providing a protective measure against environmental conditions
3. To ensure airtight or watertight bonds in structures by using a soft material to seal spaces; to enhance the stability of constructions by filling cracks or joints; to create a barrier that enhances longevity and performance of a product

Etymology: "Calks" is the plural or third-person form of "calk," a verb and noun that came into English from French "calque," meaning a tracing or copy. The French word goes back to Latin "calcō," "to trample" or "to tread," which is also the source of "calcium" and "calcareous" through different routes. The link between trampling and sealing a seam is physical: a calker drove material such as oakum or tar into the gaps between a ship's planks by hammering it in, pressing the fibres down tight. Over time the sense widened from ships to any work that stops leaks or cracks. The same idea of forcing a soft filler into a joint now covers caulking a bathtub, sealing window frames, or coating a product to protect it from moisture. Note that "calk" and "caulk" are spelling variants of the same word, with "caulk" the more common form today.

Synonyms: sealants, caulks