delft

¹ American  

[delft] / dɛlft /

Also delf

noun

1. earthenware having an opaque white glaze with an overglaze decoration, usually in blue.

2. any pottery resembling this.

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Delft ² American  

[delft] / dɛlft /

noun

1. a city in W Netherlands.

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Delft British  

/ dɛlft /

noun

1. a town in the SW Netherlands, in South Holland province. Pop: 97 000 (2003 est)

2. Also called: delftware.  tin-glazed earthenware made in Delft since the 17th century, typically having blue decoration on a white ground

3. a similar earthenware made in England

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Etymology

Origin of delft

First recorded in 1705–15; after Delft

Example Sentences

The gently moving backdrops, painted deep delft blue, looked like they had sprung from a sumptuous picture book.

From New York Times • Jul. 13, 2018

Key pieces: Call us old-fashioned, but our favorite piece was a more traditional delft blue twill suit.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 6, 2014

Royal weddings were routinely marked with goblets or delft plates, but it was not until the coronation of King George II in 1727 that manufacturers were allowed to reproduce the monarch's likeness.

From The Guardian • Mar. 20, 2011

The table was spread with a clean cloth, and a large drinking-cup of delft ware, supported by three figures of little Cupids, with a bow for a handle, was full of strong ale.

From Her Season in Bath A Story of Bygone Days by Marshall, Emma

In the morning the housemaid was terrified by the impression of a hand in the dust of the 'little parlour' table, where they had been unpacking delft and other things the day before.

From The House by the Church-Yard by Le Fanu, Joseph Sheridan