Elephant

Pronunciation

• IPA: /ˈɛlÉ™fÉ™nt/, /ˈɛlɪfÉ™nt/

Origin

Middle English elefant, elefaunt, from Old French elefant, elefan, olifant, re-latinized in Middle French as elephant, from Latin elephantus, from Ancient Greek ἐλέφας (gen. ἐλέφαντος). Believed to be derived from an Afro-Asiatic form such as Proto-Berber *eḷu ("elephant") (compare Tamahaq (Tahaggart) êlu, (Ghat) alu) or Egyptian 𓍋𓃀𓅱𓌟 (ābu) ‘elephant; ivory’. More at ivory. Replaced Middle English olifant, which replaced Old English elpend, olfend.

Full definition of elephant

Noun

1. A mammal of the order Proboscidea, having a trunk, and two large ivory tusks jutting from the upper jaw.
2. (figuratively) Anything huge and ponderous.
3. (paper, printing) A printing-paper size measuring 30 inches x 22 inches.
4. (British, childish) used when counting to add length.Let's play hide and seek. I'll count. One elephant, two elephant, three elephant...
5. (obsolete) ivory

Synonyms

• (animal) Elephas maximus, Loxodonta africana
• (counting term) alligator US

Hyponyms

• (animal) African bush elephant, African forest elephant, Indian elephant, African elephant

Derived terms

Related terms