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Glite Dictionary
to decalcify

to decalcify

1 8.6
To remove calcium from bones, teeth, or shells
  • verb
  • /dɪˈkæl.sɪ.faɪ/
  • Specialized
translation icon : descalcificar
  • Within our brain that means then the blood flow is able to follow with alkaline blood and that decalcifies the pineal gland.
  • decalcifies bone

Within our brain that means then the blood flow is able to follow with alkaline blood and that decalcifies the pineal gland.

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Examples

  • After treatment, they noted that the patient's bones began to decalcify as the calcium levels decreased.

  • The bones have been decalcified and then they they rest and they come out and, and break out through the navel, which does not calcify.

    Gregory B. Sadler - That Philosophy Guy

  • The temporal bones were fixed, decalcified, and embedded in celloidin.

    Academic text (2001)

  • Despite what many people believe, eating lemons is not a good idea as they have citric acid that decalcifies your enamel.

    Blog text (30)

  • He needs to exercise regularly to prevent his bones from decalcifying due to lack of weight-bearing activity.

  • The dentist explained that acidic foods can decalcify tooth enamel and make it more prone to cavities.

Synonyms

to demineralize
vsto decalcify
  • Specialized
1 8.0

To remove minerals and salts from water or teeth

removes calcium or lime specifically rather than minerals in general

Antonyms

to calcify
  • Specialized
3 7.4

Become hard and stony because minerals, especially calcium, build up

Surface Forms

decalcify infinitive
decalcified past
decalcified past participle
decalcifying present participle
decalcifies third person singular

Morphology

decalcify = calcify (semi-transparent) = de + calc + ify

Given knowledge of 'calcify', adding 'de-' clearly yields the meaning 'remove calcium or reverse calcification'.

Etymology

Decalcify breaks into de- meaning 'remove' and calcify, from a root for 'lime' or 'stone' that you can also see in calcium. So to decalcify is to 'remove calcium' or make bones, teeth, or shells less hard, like when vinegar makes a shell soft.