Elephantine
/ˌɛlɪˈfæntaɪn/noun
Resembling an elephant, especially in great size, weight, or clumsiness.
Did you know?The Greek root behind “elephant” has no securely known Indo-European origin, suggesting the word may have entered Greek through ancient contact with cultures familiar with elephants.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
ἐλέφαντινος (elephantinos)
“Of ivory or of an elephant”
Ancient Greek
Greek
ἐλέφας (elephas)
“Elephant; also ivory”
Classical Latin
Latin
elephantinus
“Of an elephant; elephant-like”
Old French
Old French
elefantin
“Like an elephant or made of ivory”
16th Century
English
elephantine
“Resembling or characteristic of an elephant”
Modern English
English
elephantine
“Extremely large, massive, or elephant-like”
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