chlorinated lime: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1technical, historical, industrial
Quick answer
What does “chlorinated lime” mean?
A white powder consisting of calcium hypochlorite (Ca(ClO)₂), used as a bleaching agent, disinfectant, and deodorizer.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A white powder consisting of calcium hypochlorite (Ca(ClO)₂), used as a bleaching agent, disinfectant, and deodorizer.
Also historically known as 'bleaching powder.' It is produced by treating slaked lime (calcium hydroxide) with chlorine gas. It was widely used for water purification, sanitation, textile bleaching, and as a chemical weapon in World War I.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical difference. The compound is named identically in both technical registers.
Connotations
In both varieties, it carries strong technical and historical connotations (e.g., early water treatment, WWI). It may evoke industrial or public health contexts.
Frequency
Equally low-frequency in both varieties, confined to technical, historical, or industrial texts.
Grammar
How to Use “chlorinated lime” in a Sentence
[Subject] treats [Object] with chlorinated lime.[Subject] produces chlorinated lime by [Process].Chlorinated lime is used for [Purpose].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “chlorinated lime” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The water board will chlorinate the lime on site.
- They chlorinated the lime using a continuous process.
American English
- The facility chlorinates lime for the municipal supply.
- They chlorinated the lime before shipping.
adverb
British English
- The water was treated chlorinated-lime-style.
- (Adverbial use is exceptionally rare)
American English
- They processed it chlorinated-lime-fast.
- (Adverbial use is exceptionally rare)
adjective
British English
- The chlorinated lime residue required careful disposal.
- A chlorinated lime solution was the standard treatment.
American English
- The chlorinated-lime compound was highly effective.
- They used a chlorinated lime powder.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Suppliers of water treatment or industrial cleaning chemicals may list it.
Academic
Found in chemistry, history of technology, public health, and environmental engineering texts.
Everyday
Virtually never used; 'bleach' or 'disinfectant' is preferred.
Technical
Precise term in chemistry, sanitation engineering, and historical industrial processes.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “chlorinated lime”
Strong
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “chlorinated lime”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “chlorinated lime”
- Misspelling as 'chlorinatted lime'.
- Using it as a general synonym for modern household bleach (which is typically sodium hypochlorite).
- Incorrect pluralization ('chlorinated limes'). It is a mass noun.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Household liquid bleach is typically a solution of sodium hypochlorite. Chlorinated lime is a solid powder of calcium hypochlorite, which is less stable and more hazardous to handle.
It has been largely replaced by more stable and convenient forms of chlorine-based disinfectants, such as sodium hypochlorite solution (liquid bleach) and calcium hypochlorite tablets.
It was used extensively for water purification and sewage treatment in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, drastically reducing waterborne diseases.
It is a corrosive and reactive chemical. It can cause severe skin and eye damage, and respiratory irritation if inhaled. It must be handled with appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE).
A white powder consisting of calcium hypochlorite (Ca(ClO)₂), used as a bleaching agent, disinfectant, and deodorizer.
Chlorinated lime is usually technical, historical, industrial in register.
Chlorinated lime: in British English it is pronounced /ˈklɔːrɪneɪtɪd laɪm/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈklɔːrəneɪt̬ɪd laɪm/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None specific to this technical term.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: CHLORINE added to LIME creates CHLORINATED LIME.
Conceptual Metaphor
PURIFICATION IS ADDING CHLORINE (The active agent, chlorine, is metaphorically 'added' to the base material to create a potent purifier).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary active chemical in chlorinated lime?