terra cotta
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Noun:
- A hard, unglazed, brownish-red earthenware: "Terra cotta" refers to a type of fired clay, typically unglazed and with a characteristic reddish-brown color, used for pottery, sculpture, and architectural elements.
Usage
- "Terra cotta" is used as a non-count noun to describe the material itself.
- It can also function as a count noun when referring to individual objects made from this material.
- The term is often used attributively (as an adjective) to describe the color or material of an object.
Examples
- Noun (Material):
- Noun (Object):
Advanced Usage
- "terra-cotta" (hyphenated form): Often used as an adjective, particularly before a noun, to describe the characteristic reddish-brown color.
Variants and Related Words
- Terracotta: An alternative, single-word spelling of "terra cotta." The meaning is identical.
- Earthenware: A broader category of pottery fired at a relatively low temperature, of which terra cotta is a type.
- Faience: A type of tin-glazed earthenware, distinct from unglazed terra cotta.
- Pottery: The general art or craft of making objects from clay.
Synonyms
- Clay: The raw material, but not specific to the fired, reddish-brown product.
- Earthenware: A close synonym, though it can be glazed and come in colors other than reddish-brown.
Related Phrases
- Terra cotta army: A famous historical example referring to the collection of terracotta sculptures depicting the armies of Qin Shi Huang, the first Emperor of China.
- Terra cotta tile: A common use of the material for flooring or roofing.
Notes
- The term originates from the Italian words "terra" (earth) and "cotta" (cooked).
- While traditionally unglazed, some modern "terra cotta" objects may have a clear sealant or a slip coating, but the core material and color remain defining features.
Noun
- a hard unglazed brownish-red earthenware