Lexic.us

Definition of Elephant

1. Noun. Five-toed pachyderm.

2. Noun. The symbol of the Republican Party; introduced in cartoons by Thomas Nast in 1874.

Definition of Elephant

1. n. A mammal of the order Proboscidia, of which two living species, Elephas Indicus and E. Africanus, and several fossil species, are known. They have a proboscis or trunk, and two large ivory tusks proceeding from the extremity of the upper jaw, and curving upwards. The molar teeth are large and have transverse folds. Elephants are the largest land animals now existing.

Definition of Elephant

1. Noun. A mammal of the order ''Proboscidea'', having a trunk, and two large ivory tusks jutting from the upper jaw. ¹

2. Noun. (figuratively) Anything huge and ponderous. ¹

3. Noun. (context: paper printing) A printing-paper size measuring 30 inches x 22 inches. ¹

4. Noun. (British childish) used when counting to add length. ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Definition of Elephant

1. a large mammal [n -S]

Medical Definition of Elephant

1. 1. A mammal of the order Proboscidia, of which two living species, Elephas Indicus and E. Africanus, and several fossil species, are known. They have a proboscis or trunk, and two large ivory tusks proceeding from the extremity of the upper jaw, and curving upwards. The molar teeth are large and have transverse folds. Elephants are the largest land animals now existing. 2. Ivory; the tusk of the elephant. Elephant apple, the tooth shell. See Dentalium. Origin: OE. Elefaunt, olifant, OF. Olifant, F. Elephant, L. Elephantus, elephas, -antis, fr. Gr,; of unknown origin; perh. Fr. Skr. Ibha, with the Semitic article al, el, prefixed, or fr. Semitic Aleph hindi Indian bull; or cf. Goth. Ulbandus camel, AS. Olfend. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998)

Lexicographical Neighbors of Elephant

elenchizes elenchizing elenchs elenchtic elenchus elenctic elengeness eleo- eleoma eleometer

eleopathy eleoptene eleoptenes eleostearic acid eleotherapy elephant (current term) elephant's elephant's-foot elephant's ear elephant's teeth

elephant's trunk elephant-tusk elephant bird elephant birds elephant ear elephant in the corner elephant in the room elephant juice elephant leg elephant man's disease

Literary usage of Elephant

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. Encyclopaedia Britannica: A Standard Work of Reference in Art, Literature (1907)
"Thi» delusion was further supported by the fact that the elephant often sleeps ... By this method the elephant can raise its huge weight with little ..."

2. The Friend of Peace by Noah Worcester (1816)
"A noble elephant has ... Yet in this very country, where so much feeling is excited by the murder of one elephant, and so much infamy attached to the deed, ..."

3. Sacred Books of the East: Comprising the Vedic Hymns, Zend-Avesta by Epiphanius Wilson, Aśvaghoṣa, Samuel Beal, Friedrich Max Müller, James Darmesteter, George Sale, Dharmaraksha (1900)
"They lead a tamed elephant to battle, the king mounts a tamed elephant; the tamed is the best among men, he who silently endures abuse. ..."

4. Harper's New Monthly Magazine by Henry Mills Alden (1854)
"It was of no use ; the long grass entangled my feet, and in another instant I lay sprawling in the enraged elephant's path, within a single foot of him. ..."

Other Resources: