calcium carbide

noun

1. a grayish-black, lumpy, crystalline powder, CaC2, usually derived from coke or anthracite by reaction with limestone or quicklime: used chiefly for the generation of acetylene, which it yields upon decomposing in water.

noun

1. a grey salt of calcium used in the production of acetylene (by its reaction with water) and calcium cyanamide. Formula: CaC 2Sometimes shortened to: carbide