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

I once found myself at an inn in Devonshire which contained a quantity of "delft" and "antique oak" furniture for sale.

From Grain and Chaff from an English Manor by Savory, Arthur H.

Mabel had chosen black silk net over delft blue, while Patience wore a gray chiffon frock over gray silk with touches of old rose, a frock exactly suited to her calm, high-bred type of face.

From Grace Harlowe's Fourth Year at Overton College by Flower, Jessie Graham [pseud.]