ivory

/ˈaɪvəri/

/ˈaɪvəri/

Other forms: ivories

Ivory is a hard, white substance found in the tusks of animals such as elephants. Ivory also refers to a white-ish color, like the ivory keys on a piano.

One of the most prized animal products is ivory, which comes from the tusks of elephants and walruses. Ivory — which is extremely hard dentine — is used in many objects, especially expensive, decorative ones such as statues. Unfortunately, the elephant population is endangered due to hunting elephants for their ivory, so this pretty substance comes at a high price. Ivory is also the name of a color that is close to the shade of bleached bones or pearl.

Definitions of ivory

1. noun

   a hard smooth ivory colored dentine that makes up most of the tusks of elephants and walruses
   synonyms: tusk

   type of:

   dentin, dentine

   a calcareous material harder and denser than bone that comprises the bulk of a tooth
2. noun

   a shade of white the color of bleached bones
   synonyms: bone, off-white, pearl

   type of:

   white, whiteness

   the quality or state of the achromatic color of greatest lightness (bearing the least resemblance to black)