ˈpōrs(ə)lə̇n, -ȯrs-, -ōəs-, -ȯ(ə)s- sometimes -səˌlān noun
( -s )
Usage: often attributive
Etymology: Middle French porcelaine cowrie shell, porcelain (from the resemblance of its finish to the surface of the shell), from Italian porcellana, from porcello little pig, vulva (from Latin porcellus, diminutive of porcus pig, vulva) + -ana -an; from the resemblance of the shell to the female pudenda — more at farrow
1.
a. : a hard, fine-grained, nonporous, sonorous, and usually translucent and white ceramic ware that has a hard paste body, is fired at a high temperature, and is used especially for table and ornamental wares, industrial and chemical wares, and especially formerly for dentures — compare china , earthenware , pottery , stoneware I
b. : soft paste 2
2. : an article of porcelain