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

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

From Dick Sand A Captain at Fifteen by Verne, Jules

The pipe clay contains leaves of trees, sometimes beautifully preserved.

From The Geological Story of the Isle of Wight by Hughes, J. Cecil

When well on the feed they will bite, even at the pipe clay and bare hook, faster than they can be hauled inboard.

From A Poor Man's House by Reynolds, Stephen Sydney

In Alum Bay the strata consist of sands, yellow, grey, white, and crimson, with clays, and bands of pipe clay.

From The Geological Story of the Isle of Wight by Hughes, J. Cecil

To scour your cross belts with fresh pipe clay?

From The Star of Gettysburg A Story of Southern High Tide by Altsheler, Joseph A. (Joseph Alexander)