celadon

[sel-uh-don, -dn]

noun

1. any of several Chinese porcelains having a translucent, pale green glaze.

2. any porcelain imitating these.

3. a pale gray-green.

adjective

1. having the color celadon.

celadon

/ ˈsɛləˌdɒn /

noun

1. a type of porcelain having a greyish-green glaze: mainly Chinese

2. a pale greyish-green colour, sometimes somewhat yellow

Word History and Origins

Origin of celadon¹

First recorded in 1760–70; named after Céladon, name of a character in L' Astrée, a tale by Honoré d'Urfé (1568–1625), French writer

Word History and Origins

Origin of celadon¹

C18: from French, from the name of the shepherd hero of L'Astrée (1610), a romance by Honoré d'Urfé

Example Sentences

Spotting the vases, he chipped the encrustation off one of them and was convinced what he was holding in his hands was celadon, an extremely valuable East Asian stoneware characterized by its beautiful blue-green glaze.

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Upstairs, the exhibition highlights 19th-century innovations, including the introduction of colored porcelain in celadon, and enameled, painted and gilded pieces.

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Behind him, a young servant arrives with a snack, while books and a celadon vase have been laid out for study on a nearby table.

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Though it was her subtle way with black leather — coats, pinafores, pleated skirts — and the ruffled celadon silks that lingered.

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The salon beyond is painted in celadon — another shade often employed by Castaing — that took days to get right, and is ornamented with trompe l’oeil marble columns.

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