- noun
1. The plant Smilax china, a liana of much of eastern Asia.
- noun
2. A plant or flower of the repeat-blooming Chinese rose species Rosa chinensis.
- noun
3. Hibiscus rosa-sinensis, native to east Asia.
- noun
4. Chinaware: porcelain tableware.
“He set the table with china, cloth napkins, and crystal stemware.”
- noun
5. A small gastropod (Monetaria moneta, syn. Cypraea moneta) common in the Indian Ocean; its shell.
- noun
6. A person other than a family member, spouse or lover whose company one enjoys and towards whom one feels affection.
“John and I have been friends ever since we were roommates at college. Trust is important between friends. I used to find it hard to make friends when I was shy.”
- noun
7. A fine clay, rich in kaolinite, used in ceramics, paper-making, etc.
- noun
8. (usually uncountable) A hard white translucent ceramic, originally made by firing kaolin, quartz, and feldspar at high temperatures but now also inclusive of similar artificial materials; also often such a material as a symbol of the fragility, elegance, etc. traditionally associated with porcelain goods.
“Tableware and toilets are both made of porcelain.”
- noun
9. Small beads made from polished shells, especially white ones, formerly used as money and jewelry by certain Native American peoples.