soft paste

noun

1
: a ceramic body containing refined clay and a glassy frit
2
or soft-paste porcelain : a soft low-fired translucent ware with a soft-paste body produced in Europe from the 15th through the 18th century compare hard paste
3
: a fine-grained opaque Chinese ceramic ware related to true porcelain but having part of the kaolin replaced by pegmatite and usually being fired twice
4
: a lightweight soft opaque clay body (as of early Staffordshire)

Word History

First Known Use

1848, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of soft paste was in 1848

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

  • More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
  • Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
  • Advanced search features
  • Ad free!

Dictionary Entries Near soft paste

Cite this Entry

“Soft paste.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/soft%20paste. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!