1 a stiff sticky earth, used for making bricks, pottery, ceramics, etc.
2 poet. the substance of the human body.
3 (in full clay pipe) a tobacco-pipe made of clay.
Phrases and idioms:
clay-pan Austral. a natural hollow in clay soil, retaining water after rain. clay pigeon a breakable disc thrown up from a trap as a target for shooting.
Derivatives:
clayey adj. clayish adj. claylike adj.
Etymology: OE claeligg f. WG
Useful english dictionary. 2012.