n. & adj.
n. 1 a kind of fine white or translucent ceramic ware, porcelain, etc. 2 things made from ceramic, esp. household tableware. 3 rhymingsl. one's 'mate', i.e. husband or wife (short for china plate).
adj. made of china. china clay kaolin. China tea smoke-cured tea from a small-leaved tea plant grown in China.
[ orig. China ware (from China in Asia): name f. Pers. chini ]