pipe clay

¹ American  

noun

1. a fine, white clay used for making tobacco pipes, whitening parts of military or other dress, etc.

---

pipe-clay ² American  

[pahyp-kley] / ˈpaɪpˌkleɪ /

verb (used with object)

1. to whiten with pipe clay.

---

Etymology

Origin of pipe clay¹

First recorded in 1750–60

Origin of pipe-clay²

First recorded in 1825–35

Example Sentences

British gum and 4 lbs. pipe clay; adding afterward, 2 oz. nitrate of copper as a deliquescent.

From Scientific American, Volume 17, No. 26 December 28, 1867 A Weekly Journal of Practical Information, Art, Science, Mechanics, Chemistry, and Manufactures. by Various

Then take a perfectly clean piece of India rubber and rub off the pipe clay.

From Paper and Printing Recipes A Handy Volume of Practical Recipes, Concerning the Every-Day Business of Stationers, Printers, Binders, and the Kindred Trades by Ford, J. Sawtelle

Take an ounce of pipe clay that has been ground fine, and mix it with twelve drops of alcohol, and the same quantity of spirits of turpentine.

From The American Housewife Containing the Most Valuable and Original Receipts in all the Various Branches of Cookery; and Written in a Minute and Methodical Manner by Anonymous

In 1663 the Company of Tobacco-Pipe Makers petitioned Parliament "to forbid the export of tobacco pipe clay, since by the manufacture of pipes in Holland their trade is much damaged."

From The Social History of Smoking by Apperson, George Latimer

To scour your cross belts with fresh pipe clay?

From The Star of Gettysburg A Story of Southern High Tide by Altsheler, Joseph A. (Joseph Alexander)