Noun

Singular ivory

Plural countable and uncountable; plural ivories

ivory (countable and uncountable; plural ivories)

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

   ivory colour:

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.

Ivory is formed from dentine and constitutes the bulk of the teeth and tusks of animals such as the elephant, hippopotamus, walrus, mammoth and narwhal.

The word "ivory" was traditionally applied to the tusks of elephants; the word is ultimately from Ancient Egyptian âb, âbu "elephant", through the Latin ebor- or ebur.

The use and trade of ivory has become controversial as its harvesting, which often involves killing elephants solely for their tusks, has contributed to declining populations in some areas. Many organizations, including the United Nations, have banned the ivory trade, and many governments prohibit harvesting. Poaching and smuggling in violation of such bans is a problem in some places.

Ivory has availed itself to many ornamental and practical uses. Prior to the introduction of plastics, it was used for billiard balls, piano keys, Scottish bagpipes, buttons and a wide range of ornamental items. Synthetic substitutes for ivory have been developed. Plastics have been viewed by piano purists as an inferior ivory substitute on piano keys, although other recently developed materials more closely resemble the feel of real ivory.