Clay

See also: clay and claþ

English

Etymology

From a Middle English occupational name for a clay worker, or a habitational name, from Old English clǣġ (“clay”).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /kleɪ/
• Rhymes: -eɪ

Proper noun

Clay (countable and uncountable, plural Clays)

1. A surname originating as an occupation.
2. A male given name transferred from the surname.
   • 1968, Patrick White, “Clay”, in The Burnt Ones, Penguin Books, page 114:

     When he was about five years old some kids asked Clay why his mother had called him that. And he did not know. But began to wonder.

3. A diminutive of the male given name Clayton.
4. A census-designated place in Sacramento County, California, United States.
5. A town, the county seat of Clay County, West Virginia, United States.
6. A number of townships in the United States, listed under Clay Township.
7. Ellipsis of Clay County.

Derived terms

• Clay Center
• Clay County
• Clay Cross

Anagrams

• Lacy, acyl, lacy