1. 1. A hard, smooth, yellowish-white substance composed primarily of dentin that forms the tusks of the elephant.
   2. A similar substance forming the tusks or teeth of certain other mammals, such as the walrus.
2. A tusk, especially an elephant's tusk.
3. An article made of ivory.
4. A substance resembling ivory.
5. A pale or grayish yellow to yellowish white.
6. ivories
   1. Music. Piano keys.
   2. Games. Dice.
   3. Slang. The teeth.

1. Composed or constructed of ivory.
2. Of a pale or grayish yellow to yellowish white.

[Middle English ivorie, from Old French ivoire, ivurie, from Latin eboreus, of ivory, from ebur, ebor-, ivory, from Coptic ebou, elephant, from Egyptian 'bw.]

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.