ivory

(īvər ē, īvrē)

noun pl. ivories

  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

Origin: 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

See ivory in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun pl. i·vo·ries
  1. 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.
  2. A tusk, especially an elephant's tusk.
  3. An article made of ivory.
  4. A substance resembling ivory.
  5. A pale or grayish yellow to yellowish white.
  6. ivories
    a. Music Piano keys.
    b. Games Dice.
    c. Slang The teeth.
adjective
  1. Composed or constructed of ivory.
  2. 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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