to pipe-clay
9.9
To rub fine white clay on leather to clean it and make it white
- verb
- UK
:
arcilla blanca
- In preparation for parade, the soldiers pipe-clayed their leather belts.
Examples
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She spent the afternoon pipe-claying the old saddle for the historical reenactment.
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He carefully pipe-clayed his boots until they gleamed white.
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He pipe-clayed his leather shoes yesterday.
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I need to pipe-clay my old boots.
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To restore its original shine, he pipe-clayed his old leather bag before the event.
-
Before heading out, she pipe-clayed her boots to ensure they looked pristine.
-
For the ceremony, the soldiers pipe-clayed their leather uniforms until they appeared immaculate.
Surface Forms
pipe-clay infinitive
pipe-clayed past
pipe-clayed past participle
pipe-claying present participle
pipe-clays third person singular
Etymology
Pipe-clay comes from the fine white clay once used to make smoking pipes, and people such as soldiers and shoemakers used that clay to clean and make leather and boots look white. So, to pipe-clay something is to whiten or clean it with that white clay.
