ivory
ivory Lexical Profile
ivory Game Scores & Validity
• noun
The hard, creamy-white substance composing the main part of the tusks of an elephant, walrus, or narwhal.
"The international trade of elephant ivory has been strictly banned to protect the species from poachers."
A creamy white color with a slight tinge of yellow.
"The bride chose a classic wedding dress in soft ivory rather than stark white."
An object made from this material, especially the keys of a piano or dice (usually used in the plural).
"The jazz pianist sat down at the grand piano and began to tickle the ivories."
• Rhymes for ivory
Word Origin & Etymology
From Middle English 'ivorie', borrowed from Old French 'yvoire', from Latin 'eboreus' (made of ivory), derived from 'ebur' (ivory). Ultimately from an Afroasiatic source, likely related to the ancient Egyptian word for elephant, 'ꜣbw'.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.