Clay (Noun)
Meaning 1
Water soaked soil; soft wet earth.
Classification
Nouns denoting substances.
Examples
- The riverbank was made of a thick layer of clay that was prone to erosion during heavy rainfall.
- After a week of steady rain, the garden was a mess of soggy clay that was impossible to walk on.
- The potter's wheel was covered in a thick splatter of wet clay that had been molded into a beautiful vase.
- The farmer struggled to plow the field, which was heavy with clay that had been soaked by the recent flood.
- The construction team had to use specialized equipment to excavate the dense clay that was hindering the building's foundation.
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Meaning 2
The dead body of a human being; "the cadaver was intended for dissection"; "the end of the police search was the discovery of a corpse"; "the murderer confessed that he threw the stiff in the river"; "honor comes to bless the turf that wraps their clay".
Classification
Nouns denoting body parts.
Examples
- The deceased was placed in a refrigerated room to slow down the decay of their clay.
- Honor comes to bless the turf that wraps their clay.
- In many cultures, it's believed that the spirit leaves the clay at the moment of death.
- The forensic pathologist examined the clay to determine the cause of death.
- After a lifetime of toil and struggle, all that remained was the lifeless clay.
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Meaning 3
United States politician responsible for the Missouri Compromise between free and slave states (1777-1852).
Classification
Nouns denoting people.
Examples
- Henry Clay was a dominant figure in American politics for over four decades, serving as a congressman, senator, and secretary of state.
- As a young lawyer, Henry Clay became involved in politics and was elected to the Kentucky state legislature in 1803.
- Henry Clay was a strong advocate for the American System, which included a national bank, tariffs, and internal improvements.
- Henry Clay's proposal for the Missouri Compromise was a significant achievement in his career, as it helped to maintain the balance of power between free and slave states.
- Throughout his life, Henry Clay was known for his exceptional oratory skills, earning him the nickname "The Great Compromiser."
Synonyms
Meaning 4
A very fine-grained soil that is plastic when moist but hard when fired.
Classification
Nouns denoting substances.
Examples
- The potter's wheel was covered in a thick layer of clay as she worked on her latest sculpture.
- The artist mixed the clay with water to create a smooth, pliable consistency.
- The children played in the muddy clay pit, covering themselves from head to toe in the sticky substance.
- The ancient civilization used clay to build their homes and temples, which still stood strong after centuries.
- The ceramicist carefully shaped the clay into a delicate vase, which she would later fire in the kiln.
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Meaning 5
United States general who commanded United States forces in Europe from 1945 to 1949 and who oversaw the Berlin airlift (1897-1978).
Classification
Nouns denoting people.