Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
dictionary
thesaurus
view recents

tosca

noun
Save Word
tos·​ca | \ ˈtōskə \
plural -s

Definition of tosca

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)

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!

History and Etymology for 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

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More About tosca

Statistics for tosca

Cite this Entry

“Tosca.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tosca. Accessed 22 Jun. 2021.

Style: MLA
MLACheck Mark Icon ChicagoCheck Mark Icon APACheck Mark Icon Merriam-WebsterCheck Mark Icon

WORD OF THE DAY

miasma

Listen to the pronunciation of miasma

See Definitions and Examples »

Test Your Vocabulary

Return of Name that Color!

  • a light greenish blue color
  • Name that color:
True or False

Test your knowledge - and maybe learn something along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ
AlphaBear 2

Spell words. Make bears.

TAKE THE QUIZ
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games