chalken

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English[edit]

Etymology[edit]

From chalk +‎ -en (verbal suffix).

Verb[edit]

chalken (third-person singular simple present chalkens, present participle chalkening, simple past and past participle chalkened)

  1. (transitive, intransitive, rare) To make or become dry or desiccated, like chalk
    • 1921, Medical Pickwick, volume 7, page 13:
      When he was half way to the vine-covered porch, the screen door opened quickly and Justina stepped forth. One look at her chalkened face served to inform the young physician that she was frightened.
    • 1979, Donald Thompson, Ancient Enemy, page 87:
      The group moved away from the main windows lest an observer psyche out their plot. The terror began to chalken Candy's face.
    • 1996, Thomas R. Nevin, Ernst Jünger and Germany: Into the Abyss, 1914-1945, page 47:
      " [] Roundabout lay dozens of corpses, decayed, chalkened, dried to mummies, stiffened in an uncanny Toten-tanz."