[f. CHINA1 4 + CLAY.] A fine white potter’s clay, called also kaolin, derived from the felspar of disintegrated granitic rocks, employed in the manufacture of china or porcelain.
1840. Penny Cycl., XVIII. 472/1. For the better kinds, a portion of China-clay … is added.
1879. Manch. Guard., 25 Jan. Mixings of size which contained among other things … glue and China clay.
b. attrib.
1875. Ure, Dict. Arts, I. 810. The depth of the China-clay pits is various, extending from twenty feet to fifty feet.
1888. Daily News, 10 July, 5/1. China-clay works are the chief offenders. Many of the Cornish streams are like rivers of milk from the quantity of fine kaolin with which they are charged.
