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

Yoory Jung makes paintings and prints that emulate the surfaces of traditional Korean celadon pottery.

From Washington Post

A carved celadon-glazed ceramic Qianlong vase sold for $7.9 million, double its high presale estimate.

From The Daily Beast

The "Celadon and Amelia" is dingy, and poor in all respects.

From Project Gutenberg

"Celadon" ware is abundant from Karachi to Babylon, and some of it is of extraordinary fineness and beauty of glaze.

From Project Gutenberg

Had we been the Celadon and Chloe of a country village, he could not have regarded us as more equal, so far as the world went.

From Project Gutenberg

Celadon in despair throws himself into a river; this refers to his voyage to Malta.

From Project Gutenberg

When Alexis assumes the name of Celadon, he calls that love which Astrea had mistaken for fraternal affection.

From Project Gutenberg