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ivory Definition

ivo·ry (īvər ē, īvrē)

noun pl. -·ries

  1. the hard, white substance, a form of dentin, that makes up the tusks of elephants, walruses, etc.
    1. dentin in any form
    2. any substance like ivory in appearance, use, etc.
  2. the color of ivory; creamy white
  3. a tusk of an elephant, walrus, etc.
  4. things made of ivory
  5. Slang things resembling or suggesting ivory; specif.,
    1. piano keys
    2. teeth
    3. dice
    4. billiard balls

Etymology: ME < OFr yvoire < L eboreus (adj.) < ebur (gen. eboris), ivory < Egypt Ȝbw, elephant, ivory

adjective

  1. of, made of, or like ivory
  2. creamy-white

ivory Synonyms

ivory

modif.

ivory Synonyms

ivory

n.

animal tusk, whalebone, boar tooth, horn, hippo ivory, walrus ivory, hard ivory, soft ivory, live ivory, dead ivory; see also bone.

Objects called ivory include: piano key, die, billiard ball, chessman, statuette, false tooth, ivory carving, cameo.

ivory Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • carve: A carved ivory mythical beast is mounted on the metal fitting.
  • seize: More than 16 tons of illegal ivory seized in Customs operations around the world.
  • find: Pieces made for rulers or high ranking individuals are usually very ornate and it is rare to find undecorated utilitarian ivories.
  • include: Brides traditionally wear white to symbolize purity, although variations, including ivory, cream or pastels are sometimes used.
  • work: Masks and crafts Portuguese traders first bought worked ivory, bone and wooden statues from native craftsmen over 500 years ago.
  • use: The ivory used to make the ' fetish ' figure from Zaire ( UEA 535 ) has turned a reddish color.

Adjective modifier

  • illegal: More than 16 tons of illegal ivory seized in Customs operations around the world.
  • raw: They are not allowed to trade in raw ivory.
  • African: The best balls were made from African ivory which was considered to be of more even density than Indian ivory.
  • white: However some, as in Benin, prefer white ivory.

Modifies a noun

  • tusk: The third smaller ivory tusk finial from the Congo has figures seated in separate rows, rather than a spiral.
  • tower: These people, living in their ivory towers, have no idea how the ordinary man in the street lives.
  • guestbooks: We provide a full wedding stationery service, now including a new range of deluxe handmade white linen or ivory linen guestbooks.
  • carving: Their brass and bronze heads and ivory carvings count as some of the finest works of world art.
  • satin: Her ivory satin shoes were £ 30 from a theatrical shop.
  • poacher: During the 1980s, Africa lost half of its 1.3 million elephants at the hands of ivory poachers.

Noun used with modifier

  • walrus: Dice were made of antler for the most part, although examples of bone, walrus ivory and jet are also known.
  • elephant: Made from elephant ivory, an image of a snake or reptile resides at the base.
  • imitation: In blackwood with imitation ivory mounts Made in Eire.
  • century: In previous centuries ivory along with genuine stag, metal, bone, horn, tortoiseshell, and pearl were all popular options.

Browse dictionary entries near ivory

  1. ivied
  2. IVF
  3. Ives
  4. -ive
  5. IVDS
  6. IVD
  7. Ivanovo
  8. Ivanov, Alexey and Gorshkov, Vasiliy Case
  9. Ivano-Frankovsk
  10. Ivan
  1. ivory-billed woodpecker
  2. ivory black
  3. Ivory Coast
  4. ivory nut
  5. ivory tower
  6. IVR
  7. ivy
  8. Ivy League
  9. Iwaki
  10. iwis