Ivory: meaning, definitions and examples

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ivory

 

[ ˈaɪvəri ]

Context #1

material

Hard white material made from the tusks of elephants and other animals. Ivory is valued for its beauty and is often used to make decorative items.

Synonyms

bone, tusk

Examples of usage

  • The piano keys were made of ivory.
  • The intricate carvings on the ivory statue were mesmerizing.
Context #2

color

A pale yellowish-white color resembling the material ivory.

Synonyms

cream, off-white

Examples of usage

  • She painted the walls in a soft ivory shade.
  • The bride wore an elegant ivory wedding dress.
Context #3

trade

Illegal trade in the tusks of elephants and other animals for the purpose of making ivory goods.

Synonyms

ivory trafficking, tusk trade

Examples of usage

  • The government cracked down on the ivory trade to protect endangered species.
  • Poaching for ivory continues to be a major problem in many countries.

Translations

Translations of the word "ivory" in other languages:

🇵🇹 marfim

🇮🇳 हाथी दांत

🇩🇪 Elfenbein

🇮🇩 gading

🇺🇦 слонова кістка

🇵🇱 kość słoniowa

🇯🇵 象牙 (ぞうげ)

🇫🇷 ivoire

🇪🇸 marfil

🇹🇷 fildişi

🇰🇷 상아

🇸🇦 عاج

🇨🇿 slonovina

🇸🇰 slonovina

🇨🇳 象牙 (xiàng yá)

🇸🇮 slonovina

🇮🇸 fílabein

🇰🇿 піл сүйегі

🇬🇪 სპილოს ძვალი

🇦🇿 fildişi

🇲🇽 marfil

Word origin

The word 'ivory' originated from the Old French word 'ivurie', which came from Latin 'ebur', itself derived from Ancient Greek 'elephās'. Ivory has been prized for its beauty and rarity throughout history, leading to the exploitation of elephants and other animals for their tusks. The ivory trade has been a significant factor in the decline of elephant populations and has led to widespread conservation efforts to protect these creatures.