Definition

Noun: - A white, powdery residue: This is the inorganic ash that remains after bones are burned at a high temperature. It is primarily composed of calcium phosphate and other calcium compounds. Its primary uses are as a source of phosphorus in fertilizers and as a key ingredient in the manufacture of bone china, a type of fine porcelain.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The factory produces bone ash for use in agricultural fertilizers.
  • The translucency and strength of fine bone china come from the bone ash mixed into the clay.
  • Archaeologists analyzed the bone ash found in the ancient hearth.

Advanced Usage

• Technical/Industrial Context: In industrial and artistic contexts, "bone ash" specifically refers to the calcined (burned) and ground product used in manufacturing.
  • The recipe for the ceramic glaze requires a precise percentage of bone ash.

Variants and Related Words

• Bone china (n): A type of porcelain made from a clay body containing a significant proportion of bone ash.
  • The dinner set was made of delicate bone china.

Synonyms

• Calcined bones: A more technical term for the product.
• Bone phosphate: Refers to its primary chemical component.

Noun

1. ash left when bones burn; high in calcium phosphate; used as fertilizer and in bone china