NYT Dictionary
IVORY
/ˈaɪv(ə)ɹi/NounAdjectiveI-vo-ryi-vo-ry · 3 syllablesGrade 6
Accepted in official NYT Spelling Bee puzzle years: 2024
Meaning
The hard white form of dentin which forms the tusks of elephants, walruses and other animals.
Etymology
Origin: Old English
From Middle English yvory, ivorie, from Anglo-Norman ivurie, from Latin eboreus (“in or of ivory”) adjective of ebur (“ivory”) (genitive eboris), from Demotic Egyptian yb (“ivory, Elephantine”) (compare Coptic ⲓⲏⲃ (iēb, “Elephantine”)), from Egyptian ꜣbw (“elephant, ivory, Elephantine”), from Proto-Afroasiatic *leb-. Displaced native Old English elpendbān (literally “elephant bone”).
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
abelunguang mohAngrezbalandabékébulecacCaucasiancornstarch crusadercracker
NYT Puzzle Appearances
Accepted in 1 recorded puzzle: