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ivory
(ī′vər ē, ī′vrē)
noun pl. ivories
- the hard, white substance, a form of dentin, that makes up the tusks of elephants, walruses, etc.
- dentin in any form
- any substance like ivory in appearance, use, etc.
- the color of ivory; creamy white
- a tusk of an elephant, walrus, etc.
- things made of ivory
- Slang things resembling or suggesting ivory; specif.,
- piano keys
- teeth
- dice
- billiard balls
Origin: ME < OFr yvoire < L eboreus (adj.) < ebur (gen. eboris), ivory < Egypt Ȝbw, elephant, ivory
adjective
- of, made of, or like ivory
- creamy-white
See ivory in American Heritage Dictionary 4
noun pl. i·vo·ries
- a. A hard, smooth, yellowish-white substance composed primarily of dentin that forms the tusks of the elephant.b. A similar substance forming the tusks or teeth of certain other mammals, such as the walrus.
- A tusk, especially an elephant's tusk.
- An article made of ivory.
- A substance resembling ivory.
- A pale or grayish yellow to yellowish white.
- ivoriesa. Music Piano keys.b. Games Dice.c. Slang The teeth.
- Composed or constructed of ivory.
- Of a pale or grayish yellow to yellowish white.
Origin:
Origin: Middle English ivorie
Origin: , from Old French ivoire, ivurie
Origin: , from Latin eboreus, of ivory
Origin: , from ebur, ebor-, ivory
Origin: , from Coptic ebou, elephant
Origin: , from Egyptian ’bw
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