Which term describes the completely dry form of clay that is fragile and ready to be fired?

The correct term that describes the completely dry form of clay that is fragile and ready to be fired is bone dry. At this stage, all moisture has evaporated from the clay, making it very delicate and prone to breaking if handled improperly. Bone dry clay is considered the final stage before bisque firing, where it undergoes the first firing in a kiln.

This stage is crucial in the ceramics process because any moisture remaining in the clay can cause it to crack or explode during firing, due to the steam generated. Bone dry is distinct from other stages such as leather hard, at which point the clay is still pliable and retains some moisture, allowing for further manipulation. Greenware refers to any unfired clay object, while biscuit describes the state of clay after it has been bisque fired, which is already hard but still porous. These distinctions are important in understanding the ceramic firing process and the characteristics of clay at each stage.