porcellana

porcelain

noun por-chel-LAH-nah Rare

Origin: Italian 'porcellana' originally referred to the cowrie shell (thought to resemble a little pig, 'porcella'), whose glossy surface resembled the ceramic

Also means

china

Usage Note

Porcellana denotes fine white ceramic ware — the word was borrowed into most European languages (French porcelaine, English 'porcelain'). Di porcellana is used as an adjective ('una tazza di porcellana' = a porcelain cup). The phrase pelle di porcellana (porcelain skin) is a common beauty compliment. The plural le porcellane refers to pieces of china.

Examples

"Il servizio da tè è in porcellana pregiata."

Natural Translation

The tea set is made of fine porcelain.

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