terra sigillata

[ sig-uh-lah-tuh, sij-uh-ley-tuh ]
/ ˌsɪg əˈlɑ tə, ˌsɪdʒ əˈleɪ tə /

noun

Origin of terra sigillata

< New Latin or Italian, explained as “earth (i.e., earthenware) with incised decoration” (see terra cotta, sigillate), but apparently originally an adaptation of an earlier and Medieval Latin name for Lemnian earth (a clay mineral used as an astringent), perhaps associated with the pottery because of its red color

British Dictionary definitions for terra sigillata

terra sigillata
/ (ˈtɛrə ˌsɪdʒɪˈlɑːtə) /

noun

rare a reddish-brown clayey earth found on the Aegean island of Lemnos: formerly used as an astringent and in the making of earthenware pottery
any similar earth resembling this
earthenware pottery made from this or a similar earth, esp Samian ware

Word Origin for terra sigillata

from Latin: sealed earth