porcelain

American  

[pawr-suh-lin, pohr-, pawrs-lin, pohrs-] / ˈpɔr sə lɪn, ˈpoʊr-, ˈpɔrs lɪn, ˈpoʊrs- /

noun

1. a strong, vitreous, translucent ceramic material, biscuit-fired at a low temperature, the glaze then fired at a very high temperature.

2. ware made from this.

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porcelain British  

/ ˈpɔːsə-, ˈpɔːslɪn, ˌpɔːsəˈleɪnɪəs, -leɪn /

noun

1. a more or less translucent ceramic material, the principal ingredients being kaolin and petuntse (hard paste) or other clays, ground glassy substances, soapstone, bone ash, etc

2. an object made of this or such objects collectively

3. (modifier) of, relating to, or made from this material

   a porcelain cup

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Other Word Forms

• porcelaneous adjective
• porcellaneous adjective

Etymology

Origin of porcelain

1520–30; < French porcelaine < Italian porcellana originally, a type of cowry shell, apparently likened to the vulva of a sow, noun use of feminine of porcellano of a young sow, equivalent to porcell ( a ), diminutive of porca sow ( pork, -elle ) + -ano -an

Example Sentences

It is thought to have been made in the Derby porcelain factory around 1770-1800.

From BBC

The exhibition will incorporate materials such as antique timber, porcelain, cotton, glass and bronze, and will bring new and existing large-scale work together, on display in the UK for the first time.

From BBC

The conspicuous consumption in “The Queen of Sparkle” section includes her diamond brooch and pendant, and her jewelry chest, made by Martin Carlin in 1770, whose adornment of Sèvres porcelain set a trend.

From The Wall Street Journal

A rarely seen look at the lives of craftsmen behind Meissen porcelain, French Art Nouveau glass and more.

From The Wall Street Journal

Officials at Sèvres - France's state-owned porcelain factory - also identified some of their items on online auction sites, including a plate embossed with an air force stamp and ashtrays.

From BBC

Related Words

• ceramic
• ceramics
• enamel