Ivory (noun) Definition, Meaning & Examples

noun, plural i·vo·ries.
  1. the hard white substance, a variety of dentin, composing the main part of the tusks of elephants, walruses, etc.
  2. this substance when taken from a dead animal and used to make carvings, billiard balls, etc.
  3. some substance resembling this.
  4. an article made of this substance, as a carving or a billiard ball.
  5. a tusk, as of an elephant.
  6. dentin of any kind.
  7. a tooth, or the teeth.
  8. ivories, Slang.
    • the keys of a piano or of a similar keyboard instrument.
    • dice.
  9. the hard endosperm of the ivory nut, used for ornamental purposes, for buttons, etc.
  10. a creamy or yellowish white.
  11. a smooth paper finish produced by coating with beeswax before calendering.
adjective
  1. consisting or made of ivory.
  2. of the color ivory.
noun plural -ries
    • a hard smooth creamy white variety of dentine that makes up a major part of the tusks of elephants, walruses, and similar animals
    • (as modifier)
  1. a tusk made of ivory
    • a yellowish-white colour; cream
    • (as adjective)
  2. a substance resembling elephant tusk
  3. an ornament, etc, made of ivory
  4. Black slaves collectively
noun
  1. James. born 1928, US film director. With the producer Ismael Merchant, his films include Shakespeare Wallah (1964), Heat and Dust (1983), A Room With a View (1986), and The Golden Bowl (2000)
    Ivory (noun) Definition, Meaning & Examples

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