Por"ce*lain (277), n. [F. porcelaine, It. porcellana, orig., the
porcelain shell, or Venus shell (CyprÊa 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 (Zoˆl.), any crab of the genus Porcellana and allied
genera (family PorcellanidÊ). 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 (Zoˆl.), a cowry.
Por"ce*lain*ized (?), a. (Geol.) Baked like potter's lay; -- applied to
clay shales that have been converted by heat into a substance
resembling porcelain.
{ Por`ce*la"ne*ous (?), Por`cel*la"ne*ous (?), } a. 1. Of or pertaining
to porcelain; resembling porcelain; as, porcelaneous shells.
2. (Zoˆl.) Having a smooth, compact shell without pores; -- said of
certain Foraminifera.
Por"ce*la*nite (?), n. [Cf. F. porcelanite.] (Min.) A semivitrified
clay or shale, somewhat resembling jasper; -- called also porcelain
jasper.
{ Por"ce*la`nous (?), Por"cel*la`nous (?), } a. Porcelaneous. Ure.
Porch (?), n. [F. porche, L. porticus, fr. porta a gate, entrance, or
passage. See Port a gate, and cf. Portico.] 1. (Arch.) A covered and
inclosed entrance to a building, whether taken from the interior, and
forming a sort of vestibule within the main wall, or projecting without
and with a separate roof. Sometimes the porch is large enough to serve
as a covered walk. See also Carriage porch, under Carriage, and Loggia.
The graceless Helen in the porch I spied Of Vesta's temple.
Dryden.