cement

¹ce·ment

noun \si-ˈment also ˈsē-ment\

Definition of CEMENT

1

a : concrete b : a powder of alumina, silica, lime, iron oxide, and magnesium oxide burned together in a kiln and finely pulverized and used as an ingredient of mortar and concrete; also : any mixture used for a similar purpose

2

: a binding element or agency: as a : a substance to make objects adhere to each other b : something serving to unite firmly <justice is the cement that holds a political community together — R. M. Hutchins>

3

: cementum

4

: a plastic composition made especially of zinc or silica for filling dental cavities

5

: the fine-grained groundmass or glass of a porphyry

Examples of CEMENT

1. There is a layer of cement under the bricks.
2. <what kind of cement works best on glass and pottery?>

Origin of CEMENT

Middle English sement, from Anglo-French ciment, from Latin caementum stone chips used in making mortar, from caedere to cut

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to CEMENT

Synonyms: adhesive, bond, glue, size

Related Words: epoxy, epoxy resin, library paste, mucilage, paste, superglue, water glass; dope, goo, gum

Near Antonyms: detaching, disengaging, parting, separation; unbinding, unfastening, unfettering, untying (or untieing); emancipation, freedom, liberation, release

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Other Building Terms

batten, cistern, hearth, lath, transom, wainscot

Rhymes with CEMENT

absent, accent, Advent, anent, ascent, assent, augment, besprent, comment, consent, content, convent, descent, detent, dissent, docent, event, extent, ferment, foment, fragment, frequent, hell-bent, indent, intent, invent, lament, loment, low-rent, mordent, outspent, percent, pigment, portent, present, prevent, pup tent, quitrent, rack-rent, relent, repent, resent, segment, Shymkent, Tashkent, torment, well-meant, wisent