clay

clay · noun

imported

Definitions

noun

  1. 1.

    A stiff, sticky fine-grained earth that can be molded when wet and baked to make bricks, pottery, and ceramics.

  2. 2.

    (literary) The human body as made from earth.

  3. 3.

    A type of tennis court surface made of crushed brick or stone.

Forms

plural: clays

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    feet of clay — a hidden weakness or flaw in someone admired
  • •
    clay pigeon — a disk thrown into the air as a target for shooting practice

Related words

See also: ceramic, earth, mud, pottery
Synonyms: earth, mud, soil

Etymology

From Old English clǣg ("clay"), from Proto-Germanic klaijaz, related to the verb cleave (to stick).