Terracotta

Pronunciation

• IPA: /ËŒtɛɹəˈkÉ’tÉ™/

Origin

From Italian terra ("earth") + cotta ("baked")

Alternative forms

• terra cotta

Noun

1. a hard red-brown unglazed earthenware, used for pottery and building construction

Related terms

• terra
• terrace
• terrain
• terrene
• terrier
• territorial
• territory
• terrestrial

Full definition of terracotta

Adjective

1. Of the colour of terracotta.
• 1892 June 18, F. W. B., Why Paint a Greenhouse White?, in The Garden, volume 41, page 569:A dull red or terracotta brown is far better, and sets off the foliage of Palms or Ferns to greater advantage.
• 1963, Margery Allingham, The China Governess Chapter 2, Now that she had rested and had fed from the luncheon tray Mrs. Broome had just removed, she had reverted to her normal gaiety.  She looked cool in a grey tailored cotton dress with a terracotta scarf and shoes and her hair a black silk helmet.