Meaning & Definition of Porcelain in English

Detailed Definitions

• Definition: A ceramic material made by heating raw materials, including kaolin, in a kiln to high temperatures.

  Example Sentence: The antique shop was filled with delicate porcelain figurines.

• Definition: A high-quality ceramic that is characterized by its white color and high strength.

  Example Sentence: The wedding china set was intricately designed porcelain.

• Definition: Materials like porcelain are often used for pottery, tiles, and sanitary ware.

  Example Sentence: The bathroom had porcelain tiles that were easy to clean.

• Definition: Porcelain is also used in dental applications for crowns and bridges.

  Example Sentence: She received a porcelain crown as part of her dental treatment.

• Definition: A term sometimes used in slang to indicate fragility.

  Example Sentence: Be careful with that vase; it's as fragile as porcelain.

Etymology

Origin: From Italian 'porcellana', meaning 'cowrie shell', which refers to the shell's shiny surface.

Synonyms

Common Phrases and Expressions

• porcelain doll: A doll made of porcelain, known for its fragile and delicate features.
• porcelain skin: Skin that is very pale and smooth, often associated with beauty.
• porcelain throne: Colloquial term for a toilet, humorously referencing its ceramic composition.

Translations

• Spanish: porcelana

• French: porcelaine

• German: Porzellan

• Russian: фарфор

Related Words

• ceramics: The art or process of making objects from clay and other raw materials by firing them at high temperatures.

• china: Ceramic ware, especially that which is fine and of high quality.

• vitrified: Subjected to a process that makes something glass-like and non-porous, typically applied to certain ceramic materials.

Slang Meanings of porcelain

• Meaning: Used to describe something fragile or easily broken.

  Example Sentence: Be gentle with that, it's porcelain!

• Meaning: Referencing someone who is very delicate in character or demeanor.

  Example Sentence: She's got a porcelain nature; you have to be careful with your words.