Ceramic describes objects made from clay that has been shaped and then hardened by heat, such as pottery, tiles, or dishes. It can also refer more broadly to hard, heat-resistant materials used in technology.
From Greek 'keramikos' meaning 'of pottery', from 'keramos' meaning 'potter’s clay' or 'earthenware'. The word originally referred to the materials and art of pottery making.
The word comes from the same root as 'Kerameikos', a pottery district in ancient Athens, so ceramics are tied to a very old craft neighborhood. Modern ceramics in electronics and space shuttles are high-tech descendants of simple fired clay pots.
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