Porcelain \Por"ce*lain\ (277), n. [F. porcelaine, It.
   porcellana, orig., the porcelain shell, or Venus shell
   (Cypr[ae]a 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.
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         Porcelain, by being pure, is apt to break. --Dryden.
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   Ivory porcelain, porcelain with a surface like ivory,
      produced by depolishing. See Depolishing.

   Porcelain clay. See under Clay.

   Porcelain crab (Zool.), any crab of the genus Porcellana
      and allied genera (family Porcellanid[ae]). 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 (Zool.), a cowry.
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