elephant
nouncommon in dialogue
- United Kingdom//ˈɛlɪfənt//
- Canada//ˈɛləfənt//
- Australia//ˈeləfənt//
- India//ˈe.lɪ.ˈfenʈ//
- //elefant//
A large mammal of the family Elephantidae in the order Proboscidea, having a trunk, and native to Africa and Asia.
noun
- 1
A large mammal of the family Elephantidae in the order Proboscidea, having a trunk, and native to Africa and Asia.
- 2
figurativeAnything huge and ponderous.
- 3
Synonym of elephant paper.
- 4
used when counting to add length, so that each count takes about one second
Let's play hide and seek. I'll count. One elephant, two elephant, three elephant...
- 5
obsoleteIvory.
He sent rich gifts of elephant and gold.
- 6
A xiangqi piece that is moved two points diagonally, may not jump over intervening pieces and may not cross the river.
Etymology
From Middle English elefant, elefaunt, from Old French elefant, elefan, olifant, re-latinized in Middle French as elephant, from Latin elephantus, from Ancient Greek ἐλέφᾱς (eléphās) (gen. ἐλέφαντος (eléphantos)). Believed to be derived from an Afroasiatic form such as Proto-Berber *eḷu (“elephant”) (compare Tamahaq êlu, Tamasheq alu) or Egyptian ꜣbw (“elephant; ivory”). More at ivory. Replaced Middle English olifant (from the aforementioned Old French form, from Vulgar Latin *olifantus), which replaced Old English elpend (“elephant”).
Forms
- plural
- elephants
elephant · A large mammal of the family Elephantidae in the order Proboscidea, having a trunk, and native to Africa and Asia.
Elephant · The 105th sura (chapter) of the Quran.Elephants · The Ivory Coast national football teamelevated · Raised, usually above ground level.