eggshell

noun

1. the shell of a bird’s egg, consisting of keratin fibers and calcite crystals.
2. a pale yellowish-white color.
3. rather bulky paper having a slightly rough finish.

adjective

4. like an eggshell, as in thinness and delicacy; very brittle; fragile.
5. being pale yellowish-white in color.
6. having little or no gloss: eggshell white paint.

noun

1. the hard porous protective outer layer of a bird’s egg, consisting of calcite and protein
2. a yellowish-white colour
3. a type of paper with a slightly rough finish
4. (modifier) (of paint) having a very slight sheenan eggshell finish
5. walk on eggshells to be very cautious or diplomatic for fear of upsetting someone

adjective

6. of a yellowish-white coloureggshell paint

n.

early 15c., from egg (n.) + shell (n.). Earlier ay-schelle (c.1300). Emblematic of “thin and delicate” from 1835; as a color term, from 1894. The figure of treading on eggshells “to move cautiously” is attested by 1734.