pipe clay

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noun

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

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Origin of pipe clay

First recorded in 1750–60

Words nearby pipe clay

pi-pa, pipage, pipal, pipe, pipe bomb, pipe clay, pipe cleaner, pipe cutter, piped music, pipe down, pipe dream

Other definitions for pipe clay (2 of 2)

pipe-clay

[ pahyp-kley ]

/ ˈpaɪpˌkleɪ /

verb (used with object)

to whiten with pipe clay.

Origin of pipe-clay

First recorded in 1825–35

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use pipe clay in a sentence

I was drawn to The Class for different reasons—chiefly, the pipe dream of achieving a tighter and tauter backside.
How Taryn Toomey’s ‘The Class’ Became New York’s Latest Fitness Craze|Lizzie Crocker|January 9, 2015|DAILY BEAST
And then I said, ‘Well, chief, when the admiral comes aboard, the first mate has to pipe him in.’
The Story Behind Lee Marvin’s Liberty Valance Smile|Robert Ward|January 3, 2015|DAILY BEAST
It would be like if after the 40th pipe in Flappy Bird was a scarecrow.
Lost For Thousands of Strokes: 'Desert Golfing' Is 'Angry Birds' as Modern Art|Alec Kubas-Meyer|January 2, 2015|DAILY BEAST
There was poop humor—literally—when Valerie's house becomes flooded with fecal matter after a pipe bursts.
‘The Comeback’ Finale: Give Lisa Kudrow All of the Awards|Kevin Fallon|December 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST

All it needs is one more “pipe” to select and transmit the crucial information.
Red Tape and Black Boxes: Why We Keep ‘Losing’ Airliners in 2014|Clive Irving|December 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Aristide washed and powdered Jean himself, the landlord lounging by, pipe in mouth, administering suggestions.
The Joyous Adventures of Aristide Pujol|William J. Locke
Drone: the largest tube of a bag-pipe, giving forth a dull heavy tone.
Gulliver's Travels|Jonathan Swift
The pipe has a modern look and is altogether unlike those found by the English in use among the Indians in Virginia.
Tobacco; Its History, Varieties, Culture, Manufacture and Commerce|E. R. Billings.
The British had fired 143 cannon shot into the fort before the arrival of Gen. Clay.
The Every Day Book of History and Chronology|Joel Munsell
“Now this is what I call real felicity,” observed the major, pulling out a pipe which he proceeded to fill.
Hunting the Lions|R.M. Ballantyne

British Dictionary definitions for pipe clay

pipeclay

/ (ˈpaɪpˌkleɪ) /

noun

a fine white pure clay, used in the manufacture of tobacco pipes and pottery and for whitening leather and similar materials

verb

(tr) to whiten with pipeclay

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012