crockery
UK: ˈkrɒkəri | US: ˈkrɑːkəri
n. Earthenware or ceramic dishes, plates, and other tableware used for serving food.
crockery = crock<earthen pot> + ery<collective noun suffix>
- crock: From Middle English crokke, meaning "earthen pot" or "jar," derived from Old English croc, likely of Germanic origin.
- ery: A suffix forming collective nouns (e.g., pottery, machinery), indicating a category or class of items.
Etymology Origin:
The word crockery traces back to the humble crock, a durable earthenware vessel used for centuries in domestic life. By adding the suffix -ery, the term evolved to encompass all such vessels collectively, reflecting the industrial and household shift toward mass-produced ceramic tableware in the 18th century. The logic is straightforward: crock (individual item) + ery (group) = crockery (the entire category).
The antique shop displayed a fine collection of Victorian crockery.
She carefully washed the crockery after the dinner party.
Modern crockery often blends functionality with artistic design.
The movers packed the fragile crockery in bubble wrap.
Traditional Japanese crockery is prized for its minimalist beauty.