kaolin

or ka·o·line

[ key-uh-lin ]

noun

1. a fine white clay used in the manufacture of porcelain.

kaolin

/ ˈkeɪəlɪn /

noun

1. a fine white clay used for the manufacture of hard-paste porcelain and bone china and in medicine as a poultice and gastrointestinal absorbent Also calledchina claychina stone

Derived Forms

• ˌkaoˈlinic, adjective

Other Words From

• kao·linic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of kaolin¹

1720–30; < French < Chinese (Wade-Giles) Kao1ling3, (pinyin) Gāolǐng mountain in Jiangxi province that yielded the first kaolin sent to Europe ( gāo high + lǐng hill)

Word History and Origins

Origin of kaolin¹

C18: from French, from Chinese Kaoling Chinese mountain where supplies for Europe were first obtained, from kao high + ling hill

Example Sentences

Collins, over at Washington State University, has been experimenting with spraying fine-powdered kaolin or bentonite, which are clays, mixed with water onto wine grapes so it absorbs materials that are in smoke.

From Washington Times

Though its face was originally painted white with kaolin, enough color has worn away to leave it with the look of an actor sweating through her makeup — a perfect balance of delicacy and passion.

From New York Times

Wilkinson, Zandberg and others are experimenting with coating compounds such as a clay named kaolin, which essentially coats grapes to help prevent smoke from penetrating the skin.

From Washington Post

The cloth and kaolin are distinctive of Maroon culture, while the marks evoke scarification.

From New York Times

Neither kaolin clay nor a mix of neem and karanja oil significantly reduced damage on young apple trees, researchers reported in the Journal of Entomological Science.

From Washington Post

Related Words

• brick
• earth
• mud
• terra cotta