different between ivory vs offwhite

English

Etymology

From Middle English yvory, ivorie, from Anglo-Norman ivurie, from Latin eboreus (“in or of ivory”) adjective of ebur (“ivory”) (genitive eboris), from Demotic yb (“ivory, Elephantine”) (compare Coptic ??? (i?b, “Elephantine”)), from Egyptian ?bw (“elephant, ivory, Elephantine”). Displaced native Old English elpendb?n (literally “elephant bone”).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /?a?v(?)?i/
• Hyphenation: i?vo?ry, ivo?ry

Noun

ivory (countable and uncountable, plural ivories)

1. (uncountable) The hard white form of dentin which forms the tusks of elephants, walruses and other animals.
2. A creamy white color, the color of ivory.

3. Something made from or resembling ivory.
4. (collective, singular or in plural) The teeth.
5. (collective, singular or in plural) The keys of a piano.

   Coordinate term: ebony

6. (slang) A white person.

   Synonyms: see Thesaurus:white person

Translations

See also

• Galalith

Adjective

ivory (not comparable)

1. Made of ivory.
2. Resembling or having the colour of ivory.
   • 1938, Interior Decoration To-day (page 132)

     The walls and ceiling of this drawing-room in Montague Square are painted ivory.

Derived terms

Related terms

• chryselephantine
• eburnation

Translations

See also

• odontolite
• scrimshaw
• whalebone
• Appendix:Colors

Middle English

Noun

ivory

1. Alternative form of yvory

English

Adjective

offwhite (not comparable)

1. Alternative form of off-white