elephant

[el-uh-fuhnt]

noun

plural

elephants ,

plural

elephant .

1. a very large herbivorous mammal of the family Elephantidae, the only extant family of proboscideans and comprising the genera Loxodonta (African elephants ) and Elephas (Asian elephants ): Elephants of all species are characterized by a long, prehensile trunk formed of the nose and upper lip, pillarlike legs, and prominent tusks, which are possessed by both sexes of Loxodonta and just the males of Elephas.

2. a representation of this animal, used in the United States since 1874 as the emblem of the Republican Party.

3. Chiefly British.,  a size of drawing or writing paper, 23 × 28 inches (58 × 71 centimeters).

elephant

/ ˈɛlɪfənt /

noun

1. either of the two proboscidean mammals of the family Elephantidae . The African elephant ( Loxodonta africana ) is the larger species, with large flapping ears and a less humped back than the Indian elephant ( Elephas maximus ), of S and SE Asia

2. a size of writing paper, 23 by 28 inches

3. an obvious truth deliberately ignored by all parties in a situation

elephant

1. A symbol (see also symbol) of the Republican party, introduced in a series of political cartoons by Thomas Nast during the congressional elections of 1874. (Compare donkey.)

Other Word Forms

• elephantoid adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of elephant¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English (from Anglo-French ), from Latin elephantus, from Greek elephant- (stem of eléphās ) “elephant”; replacing Middle English olifaunt, from Anglo-French, from unattested Vulgar Latin olifantus, for Latin elephantus

Word History and Origins

Origin of elephant¹

C13: from Latin elephantus, from Greek elephas elephant, ivory, of uncertain origin

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. elephant in the room. elephant in the room.

see see the elephant; white elephant.

Example Sentences

Faced with poaching and the gradual destruction of their natural habitats, big mammals have largely disappeared, according to the survey which underlined the need to protect chimpanzees, buffaloes and elephants.

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Even if the Fed cuts interest rates several more times, it won’t address the elephant in the room: tariffs.

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New Wales rugby coach Steve Tandy accepts he cannot avoid the "elephant in the room", with the domestic game in chaos and the threat of a players' strike still a possibility.

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Just an adorable baby elephant, playing with a pumpkin.

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His absence is the elephant in the room at a club still coming to terms with the absence of the 28-year-old Portugal international.

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Related Words

• boar