pâte dure

[ French paht dyr ]

noun

1. hard paste.

Word History and Origins

Origin of pâte dure¹

1860–65; < French: literally, hard paste

Example Sentences

Pâte dure was far more desirable than pâte tendre, for it was much less breakable.

From Project Gutenberg

For example at Limoges, where in 1775 pâte tendre was made, there is a very extensive porcelain plant founded in 1840 by David Haviland, an American, from which quantities of pâte dure or genuine porcelain   for the American market are annually turned out.

From Project Gutenberg

As to him—I soon learned to regret I was not some object, some beautiful, carved object of bone or bronze; a rare piece of porcelain, pâte dure, not pâte tendre. 

From Project Gutenberg