ivoren toren

Dutch

Etymology

From Song of Songs 7.4. First attested in the 1890s in the non-religious idiomatic sense, which was borrowed from French tour d’ivoire. The shift in meaning during the twentieth century is possibly influenced by English ivory tower.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /iˌvoː.rə(n) ˈtoː.rə(n)/

Noun

ivoren toren m (plural ivoren torens, diminutive ivoren torentje n)

1. (idiomatic, chiefly derogatory) ivory tower (originally referring to sheltered artists, but increasingly referring to academia during the 20th century)

Proper noun

ivoren toren m

1. (Roman Catholicism) A title of address for Mary (mother of Jesus), or specifically her neck.