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elephant
[el-uh-fuhnt]
noun
plural
elephants ,plural
elephant .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.
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
an 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.)
Other 51Թ Forms
- elephantoid adjective
- ˈˌٴǾ adjective
51Թ History and Origins
Origin of elephant1
51Թ History and Origins
Origin of elephant1
Idioms and Phrases
elephant in the room. elephant in the room.
Example Sentences
I like the idea of addressing that elephant in the room right off the bat, because I really want to do a show for everybody.
He added: "The only way that the government can afford this white elephant would be to take money from all the other nations and regions in the UK."
And then there was, at long last for Ojai, the elephant in the minimalism room, the iconic California composer Terry Riley.
During a debate in the House of Lords, Conservative peer Lord Forsyth called the project a "complete white elephant and a disaster".
Leo is tucking an elephant stuffed animal into a toy bed.
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Related 51Թs
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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