potter's lathe
Definition
Noun: A potter's lathe is a rotating machine used by potters to shape clay into ceramic objects. It consists of a horizontal spinning disc (the wheel head) on which the clay is placed and formed by hand or tools.
Usage Examples
- (A machine that spins clay for shaping.)
- (The rotating surface used in pottery making.)
Advanced Usage
"to throw on the potter's lathe": the act of shaping clay while it spins.
- He spent hours throwing a large urn on the potter's lathe. (Forming the clay into a vessel using the spinning wheel.)
"potter's lathe and kiln": the two primary tools in pottery; the lathe for shaping, the kiln for firing.
- The studio was equipped with a modern potter's lathe and an electric kiln. (The essential equipment for ceramic production.)
Variants and Related Words
Potter's wheel (n): a common synonym for potter's lathe; the rotating disc used in pottery.
- She preferred a kick-powered potter's wheel over an electric one. (A type of potter's lathe.)
Throwing (n): the process of shaping clay on a potter's lathe.
- Throwing requires skill and practice. (The act of forming clay on the spinning wheel.)
Synonyms
- Potter's wheel: the most common term for the same device.
- Spinning wheel (in pottery context): though less precise, used informally.
Related Idioms
- "to have a potter's lathe mind": (rare, figurative) a mind that is constantly spinning or creating ideas.
- His thoughts were like a potter's lathe, always turning out new concepts. (A creative, generative mind.)