Clay

(klā), n. [A-S. clæg, L. Ger. klei, D. klei, klai, W. clai.]

1Sense 1. A soft earth, which is plastic, or may be molded with the hands, consisting of alumina, the characterizing ingredient to which it owes its plasticity, and silica, with water. It is the result of the wearing down and decomposition, in part, of rocks containing aluminous minerals, as granite, &c. Lime, magnesia, oxide of iron, and other ingredients, are often present.

Brick clay, the common kind, containing some iron, and therefore turning red when burned.—Clay for fire-brick, a variety entirely free from lime, iron, or an alkali, and therefore infusible.—Fatty clays, those having a greasy feel; they are chemical compounds of water, silica, and alumina, as Halloysite, Bole, &c.—Porcelain clay, a very pure variety, formed directly from the decomposition of feldspar, and often called kaolin.—Potter’s clay, a tolerably pure kind, free from iron. Dana.

2Sense 2. (Poetry & Script.) Earth in general, as representing the elementary particles of the human body; hence, the human body as formed out of such particles.

I also am formed out of the clay. Job xxxiii. 6.

Their spirits conquered when their clay was cold. Baillie.