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Glite Dictionary
fireclay

fireclay

1 7.9
A strong clay that resists very high heat and is used to make bricks and pots
  • noun
  • /ˈfaɪərˌkleɪ/
  • Specialized
translation icon : arcilla refractaria

Examples

  • The stark record of sixty-some firings is apparent where fireclay mortar has cracked or where wood ash has bonded to the walls.

    Fiction book (1998)

  • The artisans selected fireclay for its ability to withstand extremely high temperatures in the kiln.

  • Many potters rely on fireclay to create durable kiln shelves that can endure intense heat.

  • In the construction of the furnace, they used fireclay to line the walls for better heat retention.

Surface Forms

fireclay singular
fireclays plural

Morphology

fireclay = fire + clay (transparent) = fire + clay

The meaning is directly deducible as 'clay related to or used with fire' (heat-resistant clay), a straightforward composition of two familiar words.

Etymology

The word fireclay comes from two plain words: fire ('heat') and clay ('soft earth'), which gives a clear picture of 'clay for fire'. So, fireclay means the kind of clay used to make bricks and pots that must stand very high heat.