chalk

/t͡ʃɔːk/noun
Early Childhood
1

A soft, white, powdery limestone (calcium carbonate, CaCO₃).

2

A piece of chalk, or nowadays processed compressed gypsum (calcium sulfate, CaSO₄), that is used for drawing and for writing on a blackboard (chalkboard).

3

Tailor's chalk.

4

A white powdery substance used to prevent hands slipping from holds when climbing, or losing grip in weight-lifting or gymnastics, sometimes but not always limestone-chalk, often magnesium carbonate (MgCO₃).

5

A platoon-sized group of airborne soldiers.

6

The favorite in a sporting event.

7

The prediction that there will be no upsets, and the favored competitor will win.

Sound Patterns & Rhymes

Rhymes

Words that share the same ending sound pattern

Alliteration

Words starting with the same consonant sound — used in poetry and prose to create rhythm, emphasis, and memorable phrasing (e.g. “Peter Piper picked”)

Assonance

Words sharing similar vowel sounds regardless of starting letter — creates internal melody in writing

Consonance

Words sharing similar consonant sound patterns — adds texture and cohesion to writing