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• pipe clay
  pipe clay

  noun

  a fine, white clay used for making tobacco pipes, whitening parts of military or other dress, etc.
• pipe-clay
  pipe-clay

  verb (used with object)

  to whiten with pipe clay.

pipe clay

¹ American  

noun

1. a fine, white clay used for making tobacco pipes, whitening parts of military or other dress, etc.

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pipe-clay ² American  

[pahyp-kley] / ˈpaɪpˌkleɪ /

verb (used with object)

1. to whiten with pipe clay.

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Etymology

Origin of pipe clay¹

First recorded in 1750–60

Origin of pipe-clay²

First recorded in 1825–35

Example Sentences

I also took the opportunity of collecting a store of pipe clay, as I intended during the winter months, which were close at hand, to try my hand at china making.

From Journeys Through Bookland, Vol. 3 by Sylvester, Charles Herbert

This mixture is found to succeed best on using about half as much more pipe clay as of any of the other ingredients.

From Young's Demonstrative Translation of Scientific Secrets by Young, Daniel

His whole breast was zebraed with white marks, done with pipe clay.

From Dick Sand A Captain at Fifteen by Verne, Jules

The following is a recipe for removing grease spots from paper:—Scrape finely some pipe clay on the sheet of paper which is to be cleaned.

From Paper and Printing Recipes A Handy Volume of Practical Recipes, Concerning the Every-Day Business of Stationers, Printers, Binders, and the Kindred Trades by Ford, J. Sawtelle

Roulettes or bilbouquettes for buckling a wig were little rollers of pipe clay.

From Two Centuries of Costume in America, Volume 1 (1620-1820) by Earle, Alice Morse