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单词 elephant
释义

elephant

noun

el·​e·​phant ˈe-lə-fənt How to pronounce elephant (audio)
plural elephants also elephant
often attributive
1
a
: a thickset, usually extremely large, nearly hairless, herbivorous mammal (family Elephantidae, the elephant family) that has a snout elongated into a muscular trunk and two incisors in the upper jaw developed especially in the male into long ivory tusks:
(1)
: a tall, large-eared mammal (Loxodonta africana) of tropical Africa that is sometimes considered to comprise two separate species (L. africana of sub-Saharan savannas and L. cyclotis of central and western rain forests)

called also African elephant

(2)
: a relatively small-eared mammal (Elephas maximus) of forests of southeastern Asia

called also Asian elephant, Indian elephant

b
: any of various extinct relatives of the elephant see mammoth, mastodon
2
: one that is uncommonly large or hard to manage see also elephant in the room

Illustration of elephant

Illustration of elephant
  • 1 African
  • 2 Asian

Synonyms

  • behemoth
  • blockbuster
  • colossus
  • dinosaur
  • dreadnought
  • giant
  • Goliath
  • jumbo
  • leviathan
  • mammoth
  • mastodon
  • monster
  • titan
  • whale
  • whopper
See all Synonyms & Antonyms

Example Sentences

by any standard, the new shopping mall will be an elephant and one that is certain to alter the retail landscape
Recent Examples on the Web There were no running BART trains when the tube was completed, and luminaries took the San Francisco Zoo elephant train to the mid-tube ceremony. Peter Hartlaub, San Francisco Chronicle, 8 Sep. 2022 This 10-month-old elephant at the Fort Worth Zoo is 1,090 pounds of cuteness. Alexandra Meeks, CNN, 25 Aug. 2022 All have plunge pools heated with sustainable solar technology, expansive decks with views over the bush and are connected to the main lodge and spa by walkways occasionally next to a visiting elephant. Laurie Werner, Forbes, 8 Aug. 2022 My wife underwent a deeply felt transformation into a female elephant and enjoyed romps with a bull in her herd. Michael Verdon, Robb Report, 7 Aug. 2022 Fort Worth Zoo has a baby elephant that loves to play with bubbles -- watch him here, having the time of his life with a bubble maker -- while a San Diego penguin has been fitted with special orthopedic shoes to help with his bumblefoot. CNN, 3 Sep. 2022 Recently, a high-profile case surrounding Happy, an elephant at the Bronx Zoo, brought the issue of personhood into public view and tested the boundaries of applying human rights to animals. Hope Corrigan | The New York Times, The Week, 31 Aug. 2022 The old elephant house, which hasn’t housed animals in more than 20 years, would be renovated as an event and education space. Christine Condon, Washington Post, 29 Aug. 2022 In addition to learning how to make whoopie pies, brownie s’mores and elephant bars, student chefs will receive a coupon for 10 percent off in-store purchases valid on the day of class. San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Aug. 2022 See More

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French olifant, elefant, from L. elephantus, from Greek elephant-, elephas

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

elephant

noun

el·​e·​phant ˈe-lə-fənt How to pronounce elephant (audio)
: a huge typically gray mammal of Africa or Asia with the nose drawn out into a long trunk and two large curved tusks

elephant

noun

as in whale
something or someone that is unusually large and powerful by any standard, the new shopping mall will be an elephant and one that is certain to alter the retail landscape

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
  • whale
  • giant
  • dinosaur
  • mammoth
  • monster
  • mastodon
  • behemoth
  • leviathan
  • jumbo
  • hulk
  • titan
  • colossus
  • blockbuster
  • dreadnought
  • whopper
  • Goliath
  • amazon
  • giantess
  • heavyweight
  • juggernaut
  • steamroller
  • bulk

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

  • dwarf
  • shrimp
  • pigmy
  • midget
  • pygmy
  • diminutive
  • mite
  • runt
  • lightweight
  • peewee
  • weakling
  • wisp
  • wimp
  • half-pint
  • twerp
  • whippersnapper
  • nonentity
See More
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更新时间:2024/12/23 9:33:00