ivory
ivory — noun
1. the hard, cream-coloured material that grows as the long outer teeth (tusks) of
the hard, cream-coloured material that grows as the long outer teeth (tusks) of elephants, walruses, and related mammals, once widely carved into jewellery, ornaments, and decorative pieces.
The museum's display includes a set of carved ivory bracelets from the Ming dynasty.
collocation: carved ivory / ivory bracelet
International trade in elephant ivory has been banned in most countries since 1989.
collocation: trade in ivory / ban ivory
Elena inherited a small ivory statue of a Buddha from her grandmother.
Scientists can identify where a piece of ivory came from by testing its DNA.
Kian examined the antique ivory comb with a magnifying glass.
- tusk
refers to the whole tooth structure, not the material itself
用法筆記
Usually uncountable (a piece of ivory, ivory is expensive), but may be countable when referring to specific pieces or types, especially in the plural form 'ivories'.
2. a warm off-white shade with a faint yellow undertone, similar to the colour of e
a warm off-white shade with a faint yellow undertone, similar to the colour of elephant tusk.
Anong chose an ivory dress for her wedding day.
collocation: ivory dress / wedding
The walls were painted in a warm ivory that caught the afternoon sun.
Élise paired an ivory blouse with a navy blue skirt.
The invitation was printed on thick ivory paper with gold lettering.
Eve decorated the sofa with ivory cushions and a soft beige throw.
用法筆記
Common in fashion, interior design, and stationery. Unlike 'white', ivory has a noticeable warm or yellow undertone.
3. an object carved or made from the hard tusk substance, such as a statue, jewelle
an object carved or made from the hard tusk substance, such as a statue, jewellery, or decorative piece.
The old merchant kept a collection of African ivories on his mantelpiece.
plural form: ivories for carved objects
Sahil paid a high price for the ivory at the auction in Nairobi.
Adina discovered several small ivories among her great-aunt's belongings.
Leo donated a collection of West African ivories to the local museum.
用法筆記
The plural 'ivories' is commonly used in antique and art contexts to refer to a collection of carved ivory objects.
ivory — adjective
1. having a warm off-white colour with a slight yellow tint, resembling the colour
having a warm off-white colour with a slight yellow tint, resembling the colour of elephant tusk.
Allison wore an ivory linen suit to the summer garden party.
collocation: ivory linen suit
The bride carried a bouquet of ivory roses tied with a silk ribbon.
Michael painted the nursery in soft ivory tones rather than plain white.
The neighbour's cat had an ivory coat with dark patches on its ears and tail.
Theo chose ivory curtains to let in a warm, gentle light.
用法筆記
Very common in fashion, interior decoration, and wedding planning. 'Ivory' is warmer and more elegant-sounding than plain 'white'.
2. made from the hard cream-coloured tusk substance of elephants or similar animals
made from the hard cream-coloured tusk substance of elephants or similar animals.
The family heirloom is an ivory necklace passed down through four generations.
collocation: ivory necklace / heirloom
Baraka bought a small ivory box at the antique market in Marrakech.
The old piano had ivory keys that had yellowed with age.
Haruto's grandfather kept an ivory letter-opener on his desk.
用法筆記
Modern use is mainly for antiques and heirlooms, since the international ivory trade is now banned. New items described as 'ivory' may be made from synthetic materials.