elephant ear

[ el-uh-fuhnt eer ]

/ ˈɛl ə fənt ˌɪər /

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noun

Also el·e·phant'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.

Cooking.

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

QUIZZES

QUIZ YOURSELF ON PARENTHESES AND BRACKETS APLENTY!

Set some time apart to test your bracket symbol knowledge, and see if you can keep your parentheses, squares, curlies, and angles all straight!

Question 1 of 7

Let’s start with some etymology: What are the origins of the typographical word “bracket”?

First appeared around 1750, and is related to the French word “braguette” for the name of codpiece armor.

First appeared in 1610, based on the French word “baguette” for the long loaf of bread.

First appeared in 1555, and is related to the French word “raquette” for a netted bat.

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of elephant ear

First recorded in 1865–70 for def. 1

Words nearby elephant ear

eleoptene, elepaio, elephant, elephant bird, Elephant Butte, elephant ear, elephant fish, elephant folio, elephant grass, elephant gun, elephantiasis

Example sentences from the Web for elephant ear

“Jeffrey wanted me to tell you that you looked so pretty,” the female voice said into my disbelieving ear.
I Tried to Warn You About Sleazy Billionaire Jeffrey Epstein in 2003|Vicky Ward|January 7, 2015|DAILY BEAST
In an act of corporal punishment that we at the Daily Beast do not condone, Joseph grabbed Him by the ear and “pulled hard.”
Was Baby Jesus A Holy Terror?|Candida Moss|December 21, 2014|DAILY BEAST
And in his view, they may be good at policy but have “a deaf ear when it comes to politics.”
How Will Cuba Play In Peoria?|Eleanor Clift|December 21, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Marcel the elephant takes readers on a journey through his life, recounting his memories full of travel and adventure.
The Daily Beast’s 2014 Holiday Gift Guide: For the Blue Ivy in Your Life|Allison McNearney|November 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST

Worse, when Richman woke up the next morning, her entire ear was purple.
‘My Crazy Love’ Reveals the Craziest Lies People Tell for Love|Kevin Fallon|November 18, 2014|DAILY BEAST
When we were mounted Mac leaned over and muttered an admonitory word for Piegan's ear alone.
Raw Gold|Bertrand W. Sinclair
What the ear hears is the fundamental pitch only; the overtones harmonize with the primary or fundamental tone, and enrich it.
Expressive Voice Culture|Jessie Eldridge Southwick
The worst loss is that of Winston's ear; high principles won't obtain high explosives.
Gallipoli Diary, Volume I|Ian Hamilton
He looked up, half shutting his one funny eye, and cocking one ear up, and letting the other droop down.
Squinty the Comical Pig|Richard Barnum
Motionless she stood, straining eye and ear; she could hear nothing, but the gestures told much.
Ramona|Helen Hunt Jackson

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