ivory

ivo·ry

noun \ˈīv-rē, ˈī-və-rē\

plural ivo·ries

Definition of IVORY

1

a : the hard creamy-white modified dentine that composes the tusks of a tusked mammal (as an elephant, walrus, or narwhal) b : a tusk that yields ivory

2

: a variable color averaging a pale yellow

3

slang : tooth

4

: something (as a piano key) made of ivory or of a similar substance

— ivory adjective

Examples of IVORY

1. a carved piece of ivory

Origin of IVORY

Middle English ivorie, from Anglo-French ivoire, ivurie, from Latin eboreus of ivory, from ebor-, ebur ivory, from Egyptian ˒ʾb, ˒ʾbw elephant, ivory

First Known Use: 13th century