rhizoverbBeta
DictionaryporcelainFine ceramic material
noun / adjective

porcelain

POR-suh-lin/ˈpɔːrsəlɪn/

A hard, fine ceramic material that is often white and slightly translucent.

Light shines faintly through the thin porcelain of this cup.

A fine white porcelain teacup and saucer with delicate translucent rim beside a small white porcelain bowl.
Etymology
porcelainItaliancowrie shell; porcelain

Porcellana meant “cowrie shell” before naming the ceramic. The material received the shell's name because its lustrous transparency resembled the shell's shiny surface.

In context

Storytime Haven396:20
on one side was the high stove of white porcelain with shining brass bands
The Czar's Spy: The Mystery of a Silent Love 🕵️‍♂️💘 | William Le Queux Classic Spy Thriller

More examples

  • The artist shapes delicate flowers from porcelain.
  • We serve tea in small porcelain cups.
  • Porcelain is hard but can chip if struck.

Similar words

china
Often refers to porcelain dishes rather than the material generally.
ceramic
Covers a broader class of materials, including porcelain.