'Porcelain shell' definitions:
Definition of 'Porcelain shell'
From: GCIDE
- Porcelain \Por"ce*lain\ (277), n. [F. porcelaine, It. porcellana, orig., the porcelain shell, or Venus shell (Cypr[ae]a porcellana), from a dim. fr. L. porcus pig, probably from the resemblance of the shell in shape to a pig's back. Porcelain was called after this shell, either on account of its smoothness and whiteness, or because it was believed to be made from it. See Pork.] A fine translucent or semitransculent kind of earthenware, made first in China and Japan, but now also in Europe and America; -- called also China, or China ware. [1913 Webster]
- Porcelain, by being pure, is apt to break. --Dryden. [1913 Webster]
- Ivory porcelain, porcelain with a surface like ivory, produced by depolishing. See Depolishing.
- Porcelain clay. See under Clay.
- Porcelain crab (Zool.), any crab of the genus Porcellana and allied genera (family Porcellanid[ae]). They have a smooth, polished carapace.
- Porcelain jasper. (Min.) See Porcelanite.
- Porcelain printing, the transferring of an impression of an engraving to porcelain.
- Porcelain shell (Zool.), a cowry. [1913 Webster]