Argil

Argilla clay

Description

A fine, white clay used by potters. Prior to the 1800s, term argil refer to all aluminum-containing clays, but was later standardized as alumine (Schur 1985). The name argil is still refers to a fine quality potter's clay.

Synonyms and Related Terms

argilla clay; argilaceous earth; alumine; argilla (Lat.); kaolin; potter's clay; kaolin (Fr.);arcilla (Esp.); argila (Port.); Kaolin (Deut.)

Authority

• Thomas Gregory, The Condensed Chemical Dictionary, Reinhold Publishing, New York, 3rd ed., 1942

• Susan E. Schur, Conservation Terminology: A review of Past & Current Nomenclature of Materials, Technology and Conservation, Spring (p.34-39); Summer (p.35-38); Fall (p.25-36), 1985

• Random House, Webster's Encyclopedic Unabridged Dictionary of the English Language, Grammercy Book, New York, 1997

• The American Heritage Dictionary or Encarta, via Microsoft Bookshelf 98, Microsoft Corp., 1998