fictile
fictile — adjective
- fictilepositive
- more fictilecomparative
- most fictilesuperlative
1. able to be shaped, pressed, or formed into a different shape — used especially o
able to be shaped, pressed, or formed into a different shape — used especially of wet clay or similar soft materials before they harden.
The potter worked the fictile clay into a smooth, rounded vase on the spinning wheel.
fictile clay shaped on potter's wheel
Rohan shaped the fictile material into small figurines for his school's annual art fair.
Wet clay is highly fictile, but it becomes hard and brittle after firing in the kiln.
- rigid
not able to be reshaped
用法筆記
Almost always describes clay, earth, or ceramic paste before firing. After firing the material is no longer fictile.
常見錯誤
2. connected with the making of pottery — referring to the craft, tools, or product
connected with the making of pottery — referring to the craft, tools, or products of shaping and firing clay.
The museum's new exhibit displays ancient fictile vessels from the Han Dynasty.
fictile vessels = pottery objects
Ada learned various fictile techniques at the workshop, including glazing and wheel-throwing.
fictile techniques: glazing and wheel-throwing
Renata preferred fictile art over oil painting because she enjoyed working with her hands.
用法筆記
Highly specialised; in modern usage the simpler term pottery is far more common. Fictile is found mostly in academic writing on ceramics or archaeology.
3. easily guided, persuaded, or controlled by other people — describing a person wh
easily guided, persuaded, or controlled by other people — describing a person who lacks firmness of character.
The young ruler was fictile and easily swayed by the opinions of his advisors.
fictile ruler swayed by advisors
Pedro worried that his younger brother was too fictile, adopting every new opinion without question.
In the novel, the protagonist is a fictile figure who changes his beliefs with every new encounter.
- malleable
more common for this figurative sense; implies adaptability rather than weakness
- pliable
suggests willingness to compromise; slightly more neutral
- impressionable
commoner alternative; stresses lack of critical judgement
用法筆記
Figurative extension of sense 1 (mouldable clay applied to character). Almost always carries a mildly negative connotation of weakness or lack of independence.