terracotta
Definition
- Noun:
- A type of fired clay: "terracotta" refers to a hard, reddish-brown clay material that has been shaped and baked in a kiln, often used for pottery, bricks, and sculptures.
- A reddish-brown color: "terracotta" also denotes the warm, earthy reddish-brown color typical of this clay.
Usage Examples
- Noun (material):
- The ancient Greeks used terracotta to make roof tiles and figurines. (Fired clay used for construction and art.)
- She bought a beautiful terracotta vase at the market. (A pottery item made from fired clay.)
- Noun (color):
- The walls were painted in a soft terracotta shade. (A reddish-brown color similar to the clay.)
Advanced Usage
- "Terracotta army": a collection of life-sized terracotta sculptures representing the armies of Qin Shi Huang, the first Emperor of China.
- The Terracotta Army in Xi'an is a UNESCO World Heritage site. (Famous clay sculptures of soldiers.)
Variants and Related Words
- Terracotta-colored (adj): having the color of terracotta.
- She wore a terracotta-colored dress to the party. (A dress in a reddish-brown hue.)
- Terracotta ware (n): objects made from terracotta.
- The museum displayed ancient terracotta ware from the Roman period. (Pottery or sculptures made of fired clay.)
Synonyms
- Earthenware: pottery made from clay fired at a low temperature.
- Redware: a type of red-colored earthenware.
- Brick clay: clay used for making bricks.
Related Idioms
- As hard as terracotta: extremely hard or unyielding (rarely used, but metaphorical).
- His resolve was as hard as terracotta. (His determination was firm and unbreakable.)