elephant

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See also éléphant

Contents

English [edit]

Etymology [edit]

Middle English elefant, elefaunt, from Middle French elephant, learned borrowing from Latin elephantus, from Ancient Greek ἐλέφας (eléphās) (gen. ἐλέφαντος (eléphantos)), compound of Berber *eḷu (elephant) (compare Tamahaq (Tahaggart) êlu, (Ghat) alu) and Egyptian 𓍋𓃀𓅱𓌟 (ȝbw) (ābu) ‘elephant; ivory’. More at ivory. Replaced Middle English olifant, which replaced Old English elpend, olfend.

Pronunciation [edit]

  • IPA: /ˈɛləfənt/, /ˈɛlɪfənt/
  • (file)

Noun [edit]

elephant (plural elephants)

An African bush elephant.
  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. (UK, childish) used when counting to add length.
    Let's play hide and seek. I'll count. One elephant, two elephant, three elephant...

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Middle French [edit]

Noun [edit]

elephant m (plural elephans)

  1. elephant (animal)

Descendants [edit]