Background for clay

clay

/kleɪ/

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noun

A mineral substance made up of small crystals of silica and alumina, that is ductile when moist; the material of pre-fired ceramics.

Examples :

"The children used clay to make small animals for their art project. "

material geology substance mineral

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noun

An earth material with ductile qualities.

Examples :

"The potter used the soft clay to shape a beautiful bowl. "

material geology

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noun

A tennis court surface made of crushed stone, brick, shale, or other unbound mineral aggregate.

Examples :

"The French Open is played on clay."

sport material geology area

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noun

The material of the human body.

Examples :

"The potter used clay to shape the figures for his art class. "

body human material

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noun

A particle less than 3.9 microns in diameter, following the Wentworth scale.

Examples :

"The soil sample contained mostly clay particles, making it difficult to work with. "

geology material

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noun

A clay pipe for smoking tobacco.

Examples :

"Grandfather enjoyed his after-dinner ritual: a quiet smoke from his clay pipe. "

material utensil

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noun

A clay pigeon.

Examples :

"We went shooting clays at the weekend."

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noun

Land or territory of a country or other political region, especially when subject to territorial claims

Examples :

"Danzig is rightfully German clay."

politics nation government geography state area

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verb

To add clay to, to spread clay onto.

Examples :

"The potter carefully clayed the small, rough lump of clay to smooth it out. "

material substance

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verb

(of sugar) To purify using clay.

Examples :

"1809, Jonathan Williams, On the Process of Claying Sugar, in Transactions of the American Philosophical Society, Volume 6."

material substance chemistry industry process