elephant's-foot

American  

[el-uh-fuhnts-foot] / ˈɛl ə fəntsˌfʊt /

noun

plural

elephant's-foots

1. a climbing vine, Dioscorea elephantipes, of southern Africa, having a massive, edible, yamlike tuber.

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elephant's-foot British  

noun

1. a monocotyledonous plant, Testudinaria elephantipes, of southern Africa, with a very large starchy tuberous stem, covered in corky scales: family Dioscoreaceae

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Etymology

Origin of elephant's-foot

First recorded in 1810–20

Example Sentences

“Next to the elephant’s-foot umbrella stand, he says. Why, the cheek!” the admiral fumed.

From Literature

The widow was bareheaded; her veiled mourning cap had been removed and was now perched on the corner of Lord Fredrick’s elephant’s-foot umbrella stand.

From Literature

Elephant's-foot, the popular name of Testudinaria elephantipes, a plant of the nat. ord.

From Project Gutenberg

ELEPHANT’S-FOOT, the popular name for the plant Testudinaria elephantipes, a native of the Cape of Good Hope.

From Project Gutenberg