clay Hear it!

Jump To: synonymsSynonyms · examplesUsage Examples · quotesQuotes · linkLink/Cite
Also found in: idiomsAH Idiom Dictionary
clay definition

clay (klā)

noun

    1. a firm, fine-grained earth, plastic when wet, composed chiefly of hydrous aluminum silicate minerals: it is produced by the chemical decomposition of rocks or the deposit of fine rock particles in water and is used in the manufacture of bricks, pottery, and other ceramics
    2. soil composed of mineral particles of very small size
    1. earth, esp. as a symbol of the material of the human body
    2. the human body

Etymology: ME clei < OE clæg < IE base *glei-, to stick together > clammy, Ger klei, mud, L glus, glue

Clay definition

Clay (klā)

Clay, Henry 1777-1852; U.S. statesman & orator

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Alternate definitions:

idioms clay idiom

clay Synonyms

clay

n.

loess, argil, loam, kaolin, earth, till, wacke, slip, bole, argillaceous earth, marl, potter's clay, clayware, green pottery, terra cotta, green brick, china clay, porcelain clay, adobe, Play-Doh (trademark); see also mud, pottery.

having feet of clay

flawed, ignoble, overestimated, weak; see faulty, inadequate 1.


Webster's New World Roget's A-Z Thesaurus Copyright © 1999 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

clay Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • overlie: The soil type is chalky loam overlying clay, mostly Grade Ill with some Grade Il.

Preposition: with

  • flint: The location of the old excavation was easily located and the soil removed down to the natural clay with flint and chalk outcrops.

Adjective modifier

  • silty: This consisted of a dark greyish-brown silty clay with inclusions of gravel.

Modifies a noun

  • pigeon: From clay pigeon shooting, to golf days, to team building to spa weekends, we really do cover all areas.

Noun used with modifier

  • china: The cuts will be a blow to the region's historic china clay industry.
clay usage examples (more)

The word usage examples above have been gathered from various sources to reflect current and historical usage. They do not represent the opinions of YourDictionary.com.

clay quotes

I dread this like the dentist, rather more so: To me Art's subject is the human clay, And landscape but a background to a torso; All Ce¤ z anne's apples I would give away For one small Goya or a Daumier.

-Auden,W(ystan) H(ugh)

   Purpose apart, perched like an umpire, dozes, Dreams golden balls whirring through indigo. Clay blurs the whitewash but day still encloses The albinos, bonded in their flick and flow. Playing in musicked gravity, the pair Score liquid Euclids in foolscaps of air.

-Avison, Margaret

Honouring itself the clay rears up To praise its pottering purposes, But, oh, much sorrow shall it sup Before fulfilment is.

-Barker, George Granville

clay quotes (more)

Webster's New World Dictionary of Quotations Copyright © 2005 by Chambers Harrap Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. Published by Wiley, Hoboken, NJ. Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Link to this page:

Cite this page:

MLA Style

"clay." Webster's New World College Dictionary. 2009

  • Your Dictionary. 5 July 2009
  • <www.yourdictionary.com/clay>

APA Style

clay. (2009). In Webster's New World College Dictionary

  • Retrieved July 5th, 2009, from www.yourdictionary.com/clay

Comments:

Please or Register to post a comment