noun
Etymology: translation of French tour d'ivoire; originally used by C. A. Sainte-Beuve died 1869 French poet & critic with reference to Alfred de Vigny died 1863 French poet & novelist
1.
a. : a nonrealistic often escapist or visionary attitude marked by usually studied aloofness from and lack of concern with practical matters or urgent problems : a dreamy impractical attitude divorced from reality and often marked by limited vision or narrow-mindedness
her safe ivory tower of aloofness from life — Dorothy C. Fisher
b. : an often complacently blind preoccupation with what is wholly or nearly wholly speculative or theoretical or abstract or esoteric
the ivory tower of speculation — J.L.Liebman
c. : a state of mental withdrawal from and nonparticipation in practical matters and surrounding activity : a retreat from concern with or interest in reality and the world outside the self
living in an ivory tower
2. : something (as a secluded place or environment or a psychological withdrawal into oneself) that affords a means of retreating from reality and practical issues
viewing college as an ivory tower
she entered the ivory tower of her deafness and closed the door — Aldous Huxley
still seek to preserve an ivory tower of intellectual sterility — David Worcester