china-clay

A potter shapes a vase from wet china-clay on a spinning wheel.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • A fine white clay: "china-clay" refers to a pure, soft, white clay (kaolin) that is used primarily in making porcelain, ceramics, and in some industrial processes.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The potter mixed china-clay with water to form a smooth paste for the vase. (A fine white clay used in ceramics.)
  • China-clay is essential for producing high-quality porcelain dinnerware. (The clay is a key ingredient in fine china.)

Advanced Usage

• "China-clay deposits": natural geological formations where this clay is found.

  • The region is known for its extensive china-clay deposits, which have been mined for centuries. (Areas rich in kaolin.)

• "China-clay industry": the commercial sector involved in extracting and processing this clay.

  • The china-clay industry in Cornwall has a long history of supplying potteries worldwide. (The business of mining and selling kaolin.)

Variants and Related Words

• Kaolin (n): another technical name for china-clay, derived from the Chinese word "Gaoling" (a hill where it was first mined).

  • Kaolin is a key component in paper coating as well as ceramics. (China-clay used in multiple industries.)

• Porcelain clay (n): a synonym emphasizing its use in fine ceramics.

  • Porcelain clay must be very pure, like china-clay, to achieve translucency. (Another term for china-clay in pottery contexts.)

Synonyms

• Kaolin: the scientific and industrial term for china-clay.
• White clay: a descriptive term for its colour and texture.
• Porcelain clay: highlights its primary application.

Related Idioms