noun / adjective
ivory
EYE-vuh-ree/ˈaɪvəri/
The hard creamy-white substance forming animal tusks.
The partially carved elephant shows how ivory comes from the tusk beside it.
Etymology
Latin ebur named the tusk material itself. An older English name that ivory replaced literally meant 'elephant bone,' making explicit the animal source of this carving material.
In context
ivory has no marrow or blood vessels it is essentially tooth material and is whiter harder denser and heavier than bone
More examples
- The artisan carves a small figure from ivory.
- This antique box has a lid made of ivory.
- Many countries restrict the sale of ivory to protect elephants.
Similar words
- dentin
- The technical term also covers hard tissue inside ordinary teeth.