Pipeclays

Part of speech: noun, verb

Definitions

1. A fine white clay used to make tobacco pipes and to whiten leather belts ; to coat something, such as a belt or boot, with that white clay so it looks clean
2. Soft white clay used in making pipes and for whitening military belts and gear ; to make an item white by applying this clay to its surface
3. A very fine white earth used for pipes and for whitening leather goods ; to brighten or whiten something, especially a uniform or belt, by rubbing it with that clay

Etymology: "Pipeclays" is the third-person singular form of "pipeclay," so it is the noun and verb form of the same compound. The base word is a plain combination of "pipe" and "clay." The clay was named for the tobacco pipes it was used to make, since a fine white clay of this kind was the material from which clay pipes were shaped. The compound describes what the clay is for rather than what it looks like. The word's ordinary sense has been used in a different way too: as a verb, "to pipeclay" meant to whiten something with this clay, most often military belts, buckles and gloves kept spotless for parade. Anyone who has seen soldiers polishing their kit in old photographs has seen the practice the verb describes.