terracotta

Everyday

1. Terracotta is a reddish-brown clay that has been baked hard, used for flowerpots, roof tiles and statues. tree →
2. (adjective) Terracotta describes the orange-brown colour of this clay. tree →
3. The Terracotta Army is a huge group of clay soldier statues buried with an ancient emperor in China. tree →

In the lessons

In history lessons the Terracotta Army in China and Roman terracotta pots show how people long ago made things from baked clay. In art and DT, pupils may make terracotta models. In gardening, terracotta pots are common because they let air and water through. Phrases: «terracotta pot», «terracotta tiles», «the Terracotta Army».

Examples

• We planted tomatoes in a terracotta pot. tree →
• The Terracotta Army has thousands of life-sized soldiers. tree →
• The roof was covered with terracotta tiles. tree →
• Her bedroom walls are painted terracotta. tree →
• Terracotta comes from Italian words meaning «baked earth». tree →
• In art we shaped a little terracotta owl. tree →
• Terracotta pots can crack if they freeze in winter. tree →

Note

Uncountable as a material (made of terracotta). Spelled as one word (terracotta) or two (terra cotta). It is a kind of pottery, not a kind of stone.