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Glite Dictionary
crackle china

crackle china

9.1
Porcelain with a shiny finish that shows a fine pattern of lines made on purpose
  • noun
: porcelana craquelada
  • Antique crackle china is prized for its distinctive patterns and craftsmanship.

Examples

  • The collector displayed her favorite pieces of crackle china in the glass cabinet.

  • He inherited a set of crackle china dishes from his grandmother.

  • I bought a beautiful piece of crackle china at the antique shop.

  • The crackle china vase is a stunning addition to our collection.

  • Antique crackle china is prized for its distinctive patterns and craftsmanship.

  • He inherited a set of crackle china dishes from his grandmother.

  • The collector displayed her favorite pieces of crackle china in the glass cabinet.

Synonyms

crackleware
vscrackle china
1 9.9

Glazed pottery with a pattern of fine cracks on its surface

is made with those fine cracks intentionally as part of the surface finish

How Cracked

crackle china
9.1
crackleware
1 9.9

Surface Forms

crackle china singular
crackle chinas plural

Morphology

crackle + china

The noun 'crackle' (a network of fine cracks in glaze) directly modifies 'china' (porcelain), so the compound meaning 'porcelain with a crackled glaze' is compositionally derived from its parts. This modifier+head pattern is transparent and parallels constructions in many languages (e.g., French porcelaine craquelée), so a B1 learner who knows both constituents would readily infer the meaning.

Etymology

Crackle china comes from the tiny cracks - the crackle - in the shiny outer layer of the china. Potters make these fine lines on purpose to make the surface look like a web or like old, worn dishes, so the name means 'china with fine decorative cracks'.