Does "Bisque" mean the same thing as "Biscuit"?
Although today these terms are practically interchangeable in the description of the first firing, they originally had different meanings and may occasionally be used in the original sense. The term "Biscuit" came from the French in the 17th century, meaning "twice fired" when it was used to describe tin glazed wares which had to have two firings as distinct from the once fired, raw glazed wares being made at that time.
"Biscuit" refers to the first firing to change the clay into ceramic at a temperature lower than the glaze firing. The clay will not have reached maturity but will have enough strength for the glaze process. The body will be very porous so it will be easy to paint and glaze. The subsequent firing may be a high earthenware or a stoneware, all stoneware firings have a low biscuit first.
The terms "Bisque" refers to the practice that became common in industry of making the first firing higher than the glaze firing. The clay is matured in a Bisque firing giving it greater strength to withstand handling in the glazing process. The higher temperature is more likely to reveal faults or cracks saving a wasted glaze firing. The lower porosity of a bisque fired piece can sometimes be a disadvantage when glazing.
