Elephant
['elɪf(ə)nt] or ['ɛlɪfənt]
Definition
(noun.) five-toed pachyderm.
(noun.) the symbol of the Republican Party; introduced in cartoons by Thomas Nast in 1874.
Checked by Archie--From WordNet
Definition
(n.) A mammal of the order Proboscidia, of which two living species, Elephas Indicus and E. Africanus, and several fossil species, are known. They have a proboscis or trunk, and two large ivory tusks proceeding from the extremity of the upper jaw, and curving upwards. The molar teeth are large and have transverse folds. Elephants are the largest land animals now existing.
(n.) Ivory; the tusk of the elephant.
Checker: Vernon
Definition
n. the largest quadruped having a very thick skin a trunk and two ivory tusks: a special size of paper.—ns. Elephan′tiac one affected with elephantiasis; Elephantī′asis a disease chiefly of tropical climates consisting of an overgrowth of the skin and connective tissue of the parts affected with occasional attacks of inflammation resembling erysipelas.—adjs. Elephant′ine pertaining to an elephant: like an elephant: very large or ungainly; Elephant′oid elephant-like.—ns. El′ephant-seal the largest of the seals the male measuring about 20 feet in length; El′ephant's-foot a plant of which the root-stock forms a large fleshy mass resembling an elephant's foot used as food by the Hottentots; El′ephant-shrew name applied to a number of long-nosed long-legged Insectivora natives of Africa and notable for their agile jumping over loose sand.—A white elephant a gift which occasions the recipient more trouble than it is worth—a white elephant being a common gift of the kings of Siam to a courtier they wished to ruin.
Typist: Rachel
Unserious Contents or Definition
To dream of riding an elephant, denotes that you will possess wealth of the most solid character, and honors which you will wear with dignity. You will rule absolutely in all lines of your business affairs and your word will be law in the home. To see many elephants, denotes tremendous prosperity. One lone elephant, signifies you will live in a small but solid way. To dream of feeding one, denotes that you will elevate yourself in your community by your kindness to those occupying places below you.
Inputed by Adeline
Examples
- The weight of old Sabor was immense, and when she braced her huge paws nothing less than Tantor, the elephant, himself, could have budged her. Edgar Rice Burroughs. Tarzan of the Apes.
- She persisted until she finally conquered the elephant's prejudices, and now they are inseparable friends. Mark Twain. The Innocents Abroad.
- On the march you saw her at the head of the regiment seated on a royal elephant, a noble sight. William Makepeace Thackeray. Vanity Fair.
- He was miraculously conceived through his mother dreaming of a beautiful white elephant! H. G. Wells. The Outline of History_Being a Plain History of Life and Mankind.
- And if I catch an elephant? Hemingway, Ernest. For Whom The Bell Tolls.
- I am stopping at the Elephant, she continued. William Makepeace Thackeray. Vanity Fair.
- What shall we say, sir, for the elephant? William Makepeace Thackeray. Vanity Fair.
- Portrait of a gentleman on an elephant. William Makepeace Thackeray. Vanity Fair.
- The boon companion of the colossal elephant was a common cat! Mark Twain. The Innocents Abroad.
- As the tusk grows in length on the living elephant it also expands; but the cells grow larger and less compact as the tusk expands in circumference. Various. The Wonder Book of Knowledge.
- Old Tantor, the elephant, alone of all the wild savage life, feared him not--and he alone did Kerchak fear. Edgar Rice Burroughs. Tarzan of the Apes.
- Or put it, my juvenile friends, that he saw an elephant, and returning said 'Lo, the city is barren, I have seen but an eel,' would THAT be Terewth? Charles Dickens. Bleak House.
- American metallurgy may have arisen independently of the old-world use of metal, or it may have been brought by these elephant carvers. H. G. Wells. The Outline of History_Being a Plain History of Life and Mankind.
- As for Jos, even in that little interview in the garret at the Elephant Inn, she had found means to win back a great deal of his good-will. William Makepeace Thackeray. Vanity Fair.
- Who'll bid for the gentleman on the elephant? William Makepeace Thackeray. Vanity Fair.
- One of his favourite amusements, we are told, was the expensive one of rolling elephants down precipitous places in order to watch their sufferings. H. G. Wells. The Outline of History_Being a Plain History of Life and Mankind.
- At Dewlish in Dorset, an artificial trench has been found which is supposed to have been a Pal?olithic trap for elephants. H. G. Wells. The Outline of History_Being a Plain History of Life and Mankind.
- I am a straw upon the surface of the deep, and am tossed in all directions by the elephants--I beg your pardon; I should have said the elements. Charles Dickens. David Copperfield.
- There was nothing the young gentleman would have liked better, but elephants could not have dragged him back after the scolding he had received. Louisa May Alcott. Little Women.
- But no temperature made the melancholy mad elephants more mad or more sane. Charles Dickens. Hard Times.
- There are pre-dynastic Neolithic Egyptian representations of Nile ships of a fair size, capable of carrying elephants. H. G. Wells. The Outline of History_Being a Plain History of Life and Mankind.
- At first there were hippopotami, rhinoceroses, mammoths, and elephants. H. G. Wells. The Outline of History_Being a Plain History of Life and Mankind.
- Also to Ceylon, specially for elephants' tusks. Charles Dickens. Great Expectations.
- We have already noted the name of King Porus whom, in spite of his elephants, Alexander defeated and turned into a satrap. H. G. Wells. The Outline of History_Being a Plain History of Life and Mankind.
- The pawns were little green and white men, with real swords and shields; the knights were on horseback, the castles were on the backs of elephants. William Makepeace Thackeray. Vanity Fair.
Typed by Catherine