terracotta

Alternative forms

• terra cotta

Etymology

Borrowed from Italian terra (“earth”) + cotta (“baked”).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˌtɛɹəˈkɒtə/

Noun

terracotta (usually uncountable, plural terracottas)

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

Adjective

terracotta (not comparable)

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, chapter 2, in The China Governess‎:

     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.

Etymology

terra + cotta.

Noun

terracotta f (plural terrecotte)

1. terracotta

Adjective

terracotta (invariable)

1. terracotta (colour)

Anagrams

• tetrarcato