noun / verb
craze
A network of fine surface cracks, or the formation of such cracks.
The glaze on these ceramic tiles begins to craze.
Etymology
Middle English crasen meant to break or damage. The surface-cracking use preserves that physical sense, naming the fine network of breaks that can develop across a material.
More examples
- A fine craze is visible across the bowl's glazed surface.
- The tiles crazed after repeated exposure to heat.
- Rapid cooling can craze a glossy ceramic finish.
Forms
craze · crazes · crazed · crazing