— ivorylike , adj.
/uy"veuh ree, uy"vree/ , n. , pl. ivories , adj.
n.
1. the hard white substance, a variety of dentin, composing the main part of the tusks of the elephant, walrus, etc.
2. this substance when taken from a dead animal and used to make carvings, billiard balls, etc.
3. some substance resembling this.
4. an article made of this substance, as a carving or a billiard ball.
5. a tusk, as of an elephant.
6. dentin of any kind.
7. Slang. a tooth, or the teeth.
8. ivories , Slang.
a. the keys of a piano or of a similar keyboard instrument.
b. dice.
9. Also called vegetable ivory . the hard endosperm of the ivory nut, used for ornamental purposes, for buttons, etc.
10. a creamy or yellowish white.
11. a smooth paper finish produced by coating with beeswax before calendering.
adj.
12. consisting or made of ivory.
13. of the color ivory.
[ 1250-1300; ME ivurie eboreus (adj.), equiv. to ebor- (s. of ebur ) ivory + -eus adj. suffix; see -EOUS ]