pipe clay

¹

noun

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

pipe-clay

²

[ pahyp-kley ]

verb (used with object)

1. to whiten with pipe clay.

Word History and Origins

Origin of pipe clay¹

First recorded in 1750–60

Origin of pipe clay²

First recorded in 1825–35

Example Sentences

Fine greyish-white pipe-clay; of which about thirty feet in thickness were visible, apparently above the sandstone last mentioned.

From Project Gutenberg

In colored ones, if yellow, use gamboge after the pipe-clay, and for other colors match it in dry paint.

From Project Gutenberg

The four Dillons, of Ballyhaunis, gave out to their grooms a large assortment of pipe-clay and putty-powder.

From Project Gutenberg

Use equal parts of boiled oil, white lead, pipe clay and black oxide of manganese, and form it into a paste.

From Project Gutenberg

I have used a white pipe-clay dug up in the laboratory garden with complete success.

From Project Gutenberg