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Clay: meaning, definitions and examples

๐Ÿบ
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clay

 

[kleษช ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

material

a heavy, sticky material from the earth that is made into different shapes and becomes hard when it is baked or dried

Synonyms

earth, mud, soil.

Examples of usage

  • The pot was made from red clay.
  • She sculpted a beautiful vase out of clay.
  • The children enjoyed playing with clay in art class.
Context #2 | Noun

pottery

a type of soil that is smooth when wet, hard when dry, and that is used for making things (such as bricks and pots)

Synonyms

ceramic, earthenware, terra cotta.

Examples of usage

  • The artist used clay to create the intricate design on the vase.
  • Clay is a common material used in pottery.
  • The potter shaped the clay on the wheel.
Context #3 | Noun

geology

a fine-grained natural rock or soil material that is plastic when wet and hardens when heated, consisting essentially of hydrated silicates of aluminum

Synonyms

mudstone, shale, silt.

Examples of usage

  • The clay layers in the soil were visible after the heavy rain.
  • Clay minerals are present in various types of rocks.
  • Clay is an essential component in the formation of soil.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • The word traces back to Old English 'clรฆg', which means 'clay' or 'sticky earth'.
  • Related words in other languages include 'clay' in German 'Ton' and Latin 'argilla', highlighting its global recognition.

Art

  • Clay has been used for thousands of years in pottery, with evidence of ancient pottery found dating back to around 29,000 BC.
  • In modern art, sculptors use clay for both functional pieces like ceramics and expressive art forms like sculptures.

Geology

  • Clay is formed from the weathering of rocks over time and can be found in various environments, from riverbanks to deserts.
  • Different types of clay, like earthenware and stoneware, have unique properties that affect their uses in crafting.

Science

  • Clay particles are very small, which gives them a high surface area and allows them to retain moisture, making them ideal for gardening.
  • Some clays can absorb toxins and pollutants, making them useful in environmental clean-up efforts.

Cultural Significance

  • In many cultures, clay craftsmanship is a vital tradition passed down through generations, highlighting its importance in community identity.
  • The art of pottery has developed into various forms globally, such as Japanese 'Raku' and Mexican 'Talavera', each with unique styles and techniques.

Translations

Translations of the word "clay" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น argila

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เคฎเคฟเคŸเฅเคŸเฅ€

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช Ton

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ tanah liat

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ะณะปะธะฝะฐ

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ glina

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ็ฒ˜ๅœŸ (ใญใ‚“ใฉ)

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท argile

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ arcilla

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท kil

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ์ ํ†  (jeomto)

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ุทูŠู† (แนญฤซn)

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ hlรญna

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ hlina

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ็ฒ˜ๅœŸ (niรกndว”)

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ glina

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ leir

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ัะฐะท

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒ—แƒ˜แƒฎแƒ (t'ikha)

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ gil

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ arcilla

Word Frequency Rank

At position #2,452, this word belongs to solid intermediate vocabulary. It's frequently used in both casual and formal contexts and is worth learning for better fluency.