Porcelains

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A type of ceramic material known for its fine quality and strength, often used in the creation of dinnerware and decorative items
2. Referring to items made from this material that exhibit a smooth, shiny surface and are typically white or pale
3. Describing a high-fired pottery that is both durable and translucent when made thin, often associated with craftsmanship and artistry

Etymology: The word began as the name of a seashell. Old Italian "porcellana" meant the cowrie, a glossy, smooth shell, and by extension the shiny, white ware that resembled it. The Middle French "porcelaine" carried the same two senses, the shell and the chinaware, and English borrowed the latter from there. The material took its name from the shell because its surface looked similar. The most puzzling part is the animal behind the name. In Italian, "porcellana" is related to "porcello," meaning "piglet," but no one is certain why a cowrie would be called after a young pig. The connection has never been settled, so the link between the sea creature and the farmyard animal remains unexplained.