porcelaine

porcelain

noun por-suh-LEN Rare

Origin: Italian porcellana (cowrie shell, then fine ceramic)

Also means

china (tableware)

Usage Note

Porcelaine denotes both the material and objects made from it, especially fine tableware. Limoges is the famous French centre of porcelain production, so la porcelaine de Limoges is a cultural reference learners will encounter. The adjective en porcelaine means 'made of china/porcelain'.

Examples

"Elle a sorti la porcelaine pour les invités."

Natural Translation

She brought out the china for the guests.

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