Noun

Singular clay

Plural usually uncountable; plural clays

clay (usually uncountable; plural clays)

1. A mineral substance made up of small crystals of silica and alumina, that is ductile when moist; the material of pre-fired ceramics.
2. An earth material with ductile qualities.
3. A tennis court surface.

   The French Open is played on clay.

4. (idiomatic) (Biblical) The material of the human body.
   • 1611. Old Testament, King James Version, Job 10:8-9:

     Thine hands have made me and fashioned me together round about...thou hast made me as the clay.

   • 1611. Old Testament, King James Version, Isaiah 64:8:

     But now, O Lord, thou art our Father; we are the clay, and thou art our potter; and we are the work of thy hand.

Hyponyms

• kaolin, kaoline
• ball clay
• fire clay
• potter's clay

Derived terms

• ball clay
• clayey
• claymation
• fire clay
• potter’s clay

Clay is a naturally occurring material composed primarily of fine-grained minerals, which show plasticity through a variable range of water content, and which can be hardened when dried and/or fired. Clay deposits are mostly composed of clay minerals (phyllosilicate minerals), minerals which impart plasticity and harden when fired and/or dried, and variable amounts of water trapped in the mineral structure by polar attraction. Organic materials which do not impart plasticity may also be a part of clay deposits.