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elephant
[ el-uh-fuhnt ]
noun
- 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. white elephant ( def 3 ).
- a representation of this animal, used in the United States since 1874 as the emblem of the Republican Party.
- Chiefly British. a size of drawing or writing paper, 23 × 28 inches (58 × 71 centimeters).
elephant
/ ˈɛɪəԳ /
noun
- 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
- a size of writing paper, 23 by 28 inches
- elephant in the rooman obvious truth deliberately ignored by all parties in a situation
elephant
- 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 .)
Derived Forms
- ˈˌٴǾ, adjective
Other Word Forms
- ···ٴǾ adjective
Word History and Origins
Origin of elephant1
Word History and Origins
Origin of elephant1
Idioms and Phrases
- elephant in the room. elephant in the room ( def ).
More idioms and phrases containing elephant
see see the elephant ; white elephant .Example Sentences
Shot at the San Diego Zoo, the primitive video clip showed Jawed Karim, the platform’s co-founder, complimenting the elephants in the frame behind him.
The elephant program has been criticized by animal rights advocates for decades because of its small enclosure size and history of deaths and health challenges among its inhabitants.
The elephant was grazing in Mere Forest when it attacked the man, who sustained serious chest injuries, fractured ribs and internal trauma.
In 2024 alone, elephants killed at least 11 people in the area.
But soon afterwards, Mr Roy plunged into a question on how each party would handle the trade war with the US, calling it the "elephant in the room".
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Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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