elephant ear

American  

[el-uh-fuhnt eer] / ˈɛl ə fənt ˌɪər /

noun

1. Also elephant's-ear any of various plants with very large, sturdy leaves shaped somewhat like an elephant’s ear in shape, especially a plant of the arum family (Aracea), including caladium, malanga, and taro.

2. Cooking.

   1. a large, flat, sugared pastry made from fried dough, somewhat resembling an elephant's ear.

   2. palmier.

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Etymology

Origin of elephant ear

First recorded in 1865–70 elephant ear for def. 1

Example Sentences

In another corner of the garden, I excavated a 5-foot-square patch of rich soil and put in a load of elephant ear bulbs, which I had overwintered.

From Seattle Times

In another corner of the garden, I excavated a five-foot square patch of rich soil and put in a load of elephant ear bulbs, which I had overwintered.

From Washington Post

Some of the most beloved summer annuals and perennials — elephant ear, coleus, lantana, calamint, rudbeckia and echinacea — have a place in the container garden.

From Seattle Times

All six of our featured summer annuals and perennials — elephant ear, coleus, lantana, calamint, rudbeckia and echinacea — have a place in the container garden.

From Washington Post

Alocasia zebrina is a beautiful plant because it’s like the elephant ear, but it’s stripy like a zebra on the stems.

From New York Times