porcelain

[ pawr-suh-lin, pohr-; pawrs-lin, pohrs- ]

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.

porcelain

/ 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

Derived Forms

• porcellaneous, adjective

Other Words From

• por·ce·la·ne·ous por·cel·la·ne·ous [pawr-s, uh, -, ley, -nee-, uh, s, pohr-], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of porcelain¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of porcelain¹

C16: from French porcelaine, from Italian porcellana cowrie shell, porcelain (from its shell-like finish), literally: relating to a sow (from the resemblance between a cowrie shell and a sow's vulva), from porcella little sow, from porca sow, from Latin; see pork

Example Sentences

Workplace safety officials in Australia said legal alternatives also include some products made of porcelain or “sintered stone,” an artificial product made by binding minerals together with heat.

From Los Angeles Times

They show the prow of a wooden ship, encrusted with marine life, a few bronze cannons scattered across the sand, and blue-and-white porcelain and gold coins shining on the ocean floor.

From BBC

The beauty pageant is a celebration of being Korean, but it’s also redefining what beauty is against the backdrop of a lot of Korean beauty pageants, which often favor super pale, porcelain skin.

From Los Angeles Times

The lobby was blindingly bright, with porcelain floors and mod furniture in peppy colors.

From Los Angeles Times

The new logo for the Museum of London featuring a porcelain pigeon and a glittery poo splat is dividing opinion.

From BBC

Related Words

• ceramic
• ceramics
• enamel