clay

1
[ kley ]
/ kleɪ /

noun

verb (used with object)

to treat or mix with clay; cover, daub, or fill with clay.
to filter through clay.

Origin of clay

1
before 1000; Middle English; Old English clǣg, cognate with Dutch, German Klei, akin to glue

OTHER WORDS FROM clay

clay·like, adjective un·clayed, adjective

Definition for clay (2 of 3)

clay 2
[ kley ]
/ kleɪ /

noun

a lusterless serge having a rough texture.
Also called clay worsted.

Origin of clay

2
perhaps short for clay drab clay-colored cloth

Definition for clay (3 of 3)

Clay
[ kley ]
/ kleɪ /

noun

Bertha M.Charlotte Monica Braeme,1836–84, English author: originator of a long series of romantic novels.
Cassius Marcellus,1810–1903, U.S. antislavery leader and diplomat.
Cassius Marcellus, Jr., original name of Muhammad Ali.
Henry,1777–1852, U.S. statesman and orator.
Lucius (Du·Bi·gnon) [doo-bin-yon] /ˌdu bɪnˈyɒn/,1897–1978, U.S. general.
a male given name.

Example sentences from the Web for clay

British Dictionary definitions for clay (1 of 2)

clay
/ (kleɪ) /

noun

a very fine-grained material that consists of hydrated aluminium silicate, quartz, and organic fragments and occurs as sedimentary rocks, soils, and other deposits. It becomes plastic when moist but hardens on heating and is used in the manufacture of bricks, cement, ceramics, etc Related adjective: figuline
earth or mud in general
poetic the material of the human body

verb

(tr) to cover or mix with clay

Derived forms of clay

clayey, clayish or claylike, adjective

Word Origin for clay

Old English clǣg; related to Old High German klīa, Norwegian kli, Latin glūs glue, Greek gloios sticky oil

British Dictionary definitions for clay (2 of 2)

Clay
/ (kleɪ) /

noun

Cassius See Muhammad Ali
Henry. 1777–1852, US statesman and orator; secretary of state (1825–29)

Scientific definitions for clay

clay
[ klā ]

A stiff, sticky sedimentary material that is soft and pliable when wet and consists mainly of various silicates of aluminum. Clay particles are smaller than silt, having a diameter less than 0.0039 mm. Clay is widely used to make bricks, pottery, and tiles.

Idioms and Phrases with clay

clay