fictile

[ fik-tl; British fik-tahyl ]

adjective

1. capable of being molded.
2. made of earth, clay, etc., by a potter.
3. of or relating to pottery.

fictile

/ ˈfɪktaɪl /

adjective

1. moulded or capable of being moulded from clay; plastic
2. made of clay by a potter
3. relating to the craft of pottery

Word History and Origins

Origin of fictile¹

First recorded in 1620–30; from Latin fictilis “earthen” (literally, “moldable”), equivalent to fict(us) “shaped” (past participle of fingere ) + -ilis -ile

Word History and Origins

Origin of fictile¹

C17: from Latin fictilis that can be moulded, hence, made of clay, from fingere to shape

Example Sentences

The study of the fictile art of the potter, even from the theoretical side alone, cannot fail to quicken and broaden education.

From Project Gutenberg

It was much used for the ornamentation of friezes and interiors, for the decoration of fictile vases, the borders of dresses, &c.

From Project Gutenberg

They take a high place among American fictile products for grace of form and beauty of decoration.

From Project Gutenberg

Greek embroideries we can perfectly appreciate, by studying Hope’s “Costumes of the Ancients,” and the works of Millingen and others; also the fictile vases in the British Museum and elsewhere.

From Project Gutenberg

The inferiority of their religious architecture was due to the natural formation of their country, which restricted them almost entirely to the use of a fictile material.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• malleable
• pliable
• supple