ceramic vocabulary

Question 1

Clay that has been watered down.

Answer 1

slip.

Question 2

To draw or make lines into clay.

Answer 2

score.

Question 3

Having to do with clay.

Answer 3

ceramic

Question 4

Method used in hand building to connect two pieces of clay together.

Answer 4

slip/score technique.

Question 5

Is the process of kneading the clay so as to remove air pockets and create a uniform consistency in the clay.

Answer 5

wedging

Question 6

One of the oldest ways of making pottery. Long strands of clay which are laid on top of each other and joined through blending coil to coil.

Answer 6

coil method

Question 7

High-fired clay.

Answer 7

Stone ware

Question 8

Slab

Answer 8

A flattened out piece of clay

Question 9

Clay that is completely dried out.

Answer 9

bone dry

Question 10

A term used to describe unfired clay objects in general.

Answer 10

Green ware

Question 11

Clay objects that have been fired without glaze applied to them.

Answer 11

bisque ware.

Question 12

Bisque ware that has been glazed then fired.

Answer 12

glaze ware

Question 13

A special knife like tool.

Answer 13

fettling knife

Question 14

A special tool with a wooden handle and a wire loop at one or both ends.

Answer 14

Loop tool

Question 15

A term used to describe the technique of adding small clay forms as decoration on the surface of pottery forms.

Answer 15

sprigging-on

Question 16

A decoration technique , created by carving lines into the clay or carving small areas out of the clay but not perforating it.

Answer 16

incising

Question 17

A furnace designed specifically for heating clay.

Answer 17

kiln

Question 18

The heating coils of an electric kiln.

Answer 18

Element

Question 19

Clay is hardened by heating it to a high temperature. It has two basic atmospheres: oxidation and reduction which affect the color of the final piece

Answer 19

Firing

Question 20

Glass-forming chemicals that are applied to bisque ware and fired in a kiln that forma glossy coating to a clay surface. It can be colored, opaque, translucent or matte

Answer 20

Glaze

Question 21

Clay in liquid form

Answer 21

Slip clay

Question 22

Plaster disk or slab for clay work

Answer 22

Bat

Question 23

Clay form made from a mold

Answer 23

Casting (plaster)

Question 24

Liquid clay used in the process of forming objects with molds

Answer 24

Casting slip

Question 25

Term which usually refers to the bone china of England, but also is associated with vitreous white wares and porcelain

Answer 25

China

Question 26

A thin coat of color that will soak into the greenware or bisque ware (glaze or underglaze)

Answer 26

Conditioning Coat

Question 27

Mixture of ceramic materials that is designed to soften and bend when the proper mixture of time and temperature is reached in the interior of the kiln

Answer 27

Cone (Pyrometric)

Question 28

A small clay cone holder used when cones are placed on the shelf of the kiln to stand

Answer 28

Cone Plaque

Question 29

The mixture of time and temperature at which the cone will bend to show the kiln's temperature on the shelf

Answer 29

Cone Temperature

Question 30

A low-fire clay body which is fired to maturity at approx. 2000 degrees F

Answer 30

Earthenware

Question 31

A product that has been tested and determined to be safe for use on surfaces which come in contact with food or drink

Answer 31

Food-safe

Question 32

The base or the part of the piece of ceramic on which it rests

Answer 32

Foot

Question 33

A shiny, glass-like finish

Answer 33

Gloss (G)

Question 34

The refractory coating applied to the top of the kiln shelves to protect them from glaze drips

Answer 34

Kiln Wash

Question 35

Greenware that is allowed to become firm but still retains its wet look

Answer 35

Leather-hard

Question 36

A soft finish with little or no shine

Answer 36

Matte (M)

Question 37

Color which does not allow other colors to show through

Answer 37

Opaque (O)

Question 38

Small holes in the side of a kiln used for viewing shelf cones and ventilating the kiln during the firing process

Answer 38

Peep Holes (Vent Holes)

Question 39

Tiny holes in the final surface finish of a glaze or underglaze

Answer 39

Pin Holes

Question 40

Refers to the ability of clay to be formed into a shape and retain it

Answer 40

Plasticity

Question 41

Articles made of refractory material which support kiln shelves during firing

Answer 41

Posts (kiln)

Question 42

A satin-like surface which has a slight sheen to it

Answer 42

Semi-Matte (SM)

Question 43

Colors which generally allow only dark colors to show through

Answer 43

Semi-Opaque (SO)

Question 44

Slightly colored and/or speckled colors which allow most colors to show through with only slight distortions

Answer 44

Semi-Transparent (ST)

Question 45

The cone temperature that is fired on the shelf of a kiln. The amount of heating the ware actually receives

Answer 45

Shelf Cone Temperature

Question 46

Usually refers to a natural sponge used for cleaning and decorating greenware. There are also synthetic sponges available for ceramics

Answer 46

Sponge

Question 47

Clear base colors which are free from cloudiness or distortion

Answer 47

Transparent (T)

Question 48

A color which is usually applied to greenware and in most cases is covered with a glaze

Answer 48

Under glaze

Question 49

Small holes made by puncturing the wet greenware with a needle tool when two pieces of ware have been attached. These small holes allow the air and gases to escape during firing.

Answer 49

Vent Holes (Peep Holes)

Question 50

Starting with a ball of clay the potter opens a hole into the ball and forms a bowl shape through a combination of stroking and pinching the clay. Many coil-built pieces are constructed on top of a pinched bottom

Answer 50

Pinch Pots

Question 51

A brownish-orange earthenware clay body commonly used for ceramic sculpture

Answer 51

Terra Cotta

Question 52

Throw from Old English to spin. A piece of clay is placed on a potter's wheel head which spins.l The clay is shaped by compression while it is in motion.

Answer 52

Wheel thrown