elephant

[ el-uh-fuhnt ]

noun

, plural el·e·phants, (especially collectively) el·e·phant

1. a very large herbivorous mammal of the family Elephantidae, the only extant family of proboscideans and comprising the genera Loxodonta ( African elephants ) and Elephas ( Asian elephants ): Elephants of all species are characterized by a long, prehensile trunk formed of the nose and upper lip, pillarlike legs, and prominent tusks, which are possessed by both sexes of Loxodonta and just the males of Elephas. white elephant ( def 3 ).
2. a representation of this animal, used in the United States since 1874 as the emblem of the Republican Party.
3. Chiefly British. a size of drawing or writing paper, 23 × 28 inches (58 × 71 centimeters).

elephant

/ ˈɛlɪfənt /

noun

1. either of the two proboscidean mammals of the family Elephantidae . The African elephant ( Loxodonta africana ) is the larger species, with large flapping ears and a less humped back than the Indian elephant ( Elephas maximus ), of S and SE Asia
2. a size of writing paper, 23 by 28 inches
3. elephant in the room
   an obvious truth deliberately ignored by all parties in a situation

elephant

1. A symbol (see also symbol ) of the Republican party , introduced in a series of political cartoons by Thomas Nast during the congressional elections of 1874. ( Compare donkey .)

Derived Forms

• ˈelephanˌtoid, adjective

Other Words From

• el·e·phan·toid adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of elephant¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English (from Anglo-French ), from Latin elephantus, from Greek elephant- (stem of eléphās ) “elephant”; replacing Middle English olifaunt, from Anglo-French, from unattested Vulgar Latin olifantus, for Latin elephantus

Word History and Origins

Origin of elephant¹

C13: from Latin elephantus, from Greek elephas elephant, ivory, of uncertain origin

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. elephant in the room. elephant in the room ( def ).

More idioms and phrases containing elephant

see see the elephant ; white elephant .

Example Sentences

Now researchers report that a clever Asian elephant named Mary has learned how to shower herself using a hose.

From NewsForKids.net

Anchali is a 12-year-old Asian elephant who often gets sprayed down by zoo workers in the area next to Mary.

From NewsForKids.net

Managing the hose in this way with an elephant’s trunk is tricky.

From NewsForKids.net

For smaller omnivorous and carnivorous mammals such as masked palm civets or elephant shrews, nectar can act as a high-calorie supplement.

From Science Magazine

This was but a small sampling of a vast day and night, building up to a grand event in the main auditorium: Doug Aitken’s “Lightscape,” the elephant in the room presumably waiting to eclipse all others.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• boar