1. to stop up seams or cracks (especially in a ship's hull) with waterproof material
Usage: nautical; also spelled 'caulk'
2. to provide (a horse's shoe) with sharp projections to prevent slipping on ice
Usage: also spelled 'caulk'

1. a sharp projection on a horseshoe to prevent slipping
Usage: also spelled 'caulk'

Examples

• The shipwright used oakum to calk the wooden hull.
• Workers calked the seams of the boat before launching it.
• The blacksmith calked the horse's shoes for winter travel.
• A calk on each shoe helps the horse grip icy ground.
• They had to calk the gaps in the old wooden ship to keep it watertight.