Earthenwares

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. Ceramic items made from clay that have been fired and hardened, typically used for storage, cooking, or serving food
2. Objects crafted from natural earth materials, often characterized by a rustic, artisanal appearance
3. Traditional pottery products that are commonly unglazed and known for their durability and heat-resistance

Etymology: "Earthenwares" is simply the plural of "earthenware," so the story belongs to the singular. The base word "earthen" is an old adjective meaning "made of earth," formed from "earth" with the suffix "-en," as in "wooden" or "golden." The second element, "ware," is the familiar word for manufactured goods, as in "hardware" or "silverware." Put together, the compound describes goods shaped from clay and fired, and English first recorded it in 1673. The compound is a transparent one, built from parts that were already in use, which is why its meaning has changed little since. Dutch speakers made the same kind of compound, "aardewerk," from their own words for earth and goods, so the pattern of joining "earth" with "ware" was shared between the two languages.

Synonyms: pottery, ceramics, claywares