vegetable ivory

noun

1. ivory ( def 9 ).

vegetable ivory

noun

1. the hard whitish material obtained from the endosperm of the ivory nut: used to make buttons, ornaments, etc
2. See ivory nut
   another name for the ivory nut

Word History and Origins

Origin of vegetable ivory¹

First recorded in 1835–45

Example Sentences

The forests yield cinchona bark, caoutchouc, sarsaparilla, and vegetable ivory.

From Project Gutenberg

Substitution of vegetable ivory for metal in buttons was attempted.

From Project Gutenberg

Among those products of the palm which we import most liberally is "vegetable ivory."

From Project Gutenberg

Vegetable ivory is the kernel of the fruit of one of the most beautiful of palms (Phytelephas macrocarpa).

From Project Gutenberg

The roofs are of thatch, for which the leaves of the yarina or vegetable-ivory tree are generally used.

From Project Gutenberg