Fire clay

Fire clay
Clay Clay (kl[=a]), n. [AS. cl[=ae]g; akin to LG. klei, D. klei, and perh. to AS. cl[=a]m clay, L. glus, gluten glue, Gr. gloio`s glutinous substance, E. glue. Cf. {Clog}.] 1. A soft earth, which is plastic, or may be molded with the hands, consisting of hydrous silicate of aluminium. It is the result of the wearing down and decomposition, in part, of rocks containing aluminous minerals, as granite. Lime, magnesia, oxide of iron, and other ingredients, are often present as impurities. [1913 Webster]

2. (Poetry & Script.) Earth in general, as representing the elementary particles of the human body; hence, the human body as formed from such particles. [1913 Webster]

I also am formed out of the clay. --Job xxxiii. 6. [1913 Webster]

The earth is covered thick with other clay, Which her own clay shall cover. --Byron. [1913 Webster]

{Bowlder clay}. See under {Bowlder}.

{Brick clay}, the common clay, containing some iron, and therefore turning red when burned.

{Clay cold}, cold as clay or earth; lifeless; inanimate.

{Clay ironstone}, an ore of iron consisting of the oxide or carbonate of iron mixed with clay or sand.

{Clay marl}, a whitish, smooth, chalky clay.

{Clay mill}, a mill for mixing and tempering clay; a pug mill.

{Clay pit}, a pit where clay is dug.

{Clay slate} (Min.), argillaceous schist; argillite.

{Fatty clays}, clays having a greasy feel; they are chemical compounds of water, silica, and aluminia, as {halloysite}, {bole}, etc.

{Fire clay}, a variety of clay, entirely free from lime, iron, or an alkali, and therefore infusible, and used for fire brick.

{Porcelain clay}, a very pure variety, formed directly from the decomposition of feldspar, and often called {kaolin}.

{Potter's clay}, a tolerably pure kind, free from iron. [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • Fire clay — Fire Fire (f[imac]r), n. [OE. fir, fyr, fur AS. f[=y]r; akin to D. vuur, OS. & OHG. fiur, G. feuer, Icel. f[=y]ri, f[=u]rr, Gr. py^r, and perh. to L. purus pure, E. pure Cf. {Empyrean}, {Pyre}.] 1. The evolution of light and heat in the… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Fire clay — is a specific kind of clay used in the manufacture of ceramics, especially fire brick. The fire attribution is given for its refractory characteristics. There are two types of fire clay: flint clay and plastic fire clay.It is resistant to high… …   Wikipedia

  • fire clay — fire′ clay n. bui cer a refractory clay used for making crucibles, firebricks, etc • Etymology: 1810–20 …   From formal English to slang

  • fire clay — a refractory clay used for making crucibles, firebricks, etc. [1810 20] * * * fire clay noun A clay poor in lime and iron, suitable for making fire resistant pottery and firebricks • • • Main Entry: ↑fire * * * fire clay, a clay capable of… …   Useful english dictionary

  • fire clay — a refractory clay used for making crucibles, firebricks, etc. [1810 20] * * * …   Universalium

  • fire clay — noun a type of clay that is able to withstand intense heat; used to make firebricks, crucibles, and other ceramics …   Wiktionary

  • fire clay — heat resistant durable clay …   English contemporary dictionary

  • Fire — (f[imac]r), n. [OE. fir, fyr, fur AS. f[=y]r; akin to D. vuur, OS. & OHG. fiur, G. feuer, Icel. f[=y]ri, f[=u]rr, Gr. py^r, and perh. to L. purus pure, E. pure Cf. {Empyrean}, {Pyre}.] 1. The evolution of light and heat in the combustion of… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Fire alarm — Fire Fire (f[imac]r), n. [OE. fir, fyr, fur AS. f[=y]r; akin to D. vuur, OS. & OHG. fiur, G. feuer, Icel. f[=y]ri, f[=u]rr, Gr. py^r, and perh. to L. purus pure, E. pure Cf. {Empyrean}, {Pyre}.] 1. The evolution of light and heat in the… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Fire annihilator — Fire Fire (f[imac]r), n. [OE. fir, fyr, fur AS. f[=y]r; akin to D. vuur, OS. & OHG. fiur, G. feuer, Icel. f[=y]ri, f[=u]rr, Gr. py^r, and perh. to L. purus pure, E. pure Cf. {Empyrean}, {Pyre}.] 1. The evolution of light and heat in the… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

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