Hypertext Webster Gateway: "porcelain"
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
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}.
Porcelain, by being pure, is apt to break. --Dryden.
{Ivory porcelain}, porcelain with a surface like ivory,
produced by depolishing. See {Depolishing}.
{Porcelain clay}. See under {Clay}.
{Porcelain crab} (Zo["o]l.), 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} (Zo["o]l.), a cowry.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Porcelain \Por"ce*lain\, n. (Bot.)
Purslain. [Obs.]
From WordNet (r) 1.7 (wn)
porcelain
n : ceramic ware made of a more or less translucent ceramic
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