Kaolin
/ˈkeɪəlɪn/noun
A fine white clay used in ceramics, paper coating, and medicine.
Did you know?Kaolin entered European languages through trade in Chinese porcelain, and its name ultimately comes from Gaoling, a place-name tied to the clay’s original source near Jingdezhen.
Etymological Timeline
Chinese toponym
Chinese
高岭 / 高嶺 (Gāolǐng)
“"High ridge" or "high hill," the place-name associated with the clay source”
18th Century
Portuguese
caulim
“A white clay imported from China”
18th Century
French
kaolin
“White clay used for fine ceramics”
18th Century
English
kaolin
“A fine white clay, especially used in porcelain”
Modern English
English
kaolin
“A white, soft clay used in ceramics, paper, cosmetics, and medicine”