tosca

noun tos·ca \ ˈtōskə \

Definition of tosca

plural -s

1 : a calcium carbonate deposit occurring in the loess of the pampas — compare caliche

2 : a soft coral limestone deposit used for various purposes in Puerto Rico (as for masonry, road surfacing, ballast, and as fertilizer)

There's more!

Love words? You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
Advanced search features
Ad free!

Origin and Etymology of tosca

American Spanish, from Spanish, feminine of tosco rough, unpolished, uncouth, probably from Latin tuscus Tuscan; from the disreputable character of the inhabitants of the Vicus Tuscus Tuscan Street in ancient Rome