Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

ivories

noun

/ˈaɪ.vər.iz/

Definition

The hard, white material that forms the tusks of elephants and the teeth of certain animals, often used to create ornamental items and musical instruments.

Examples

The musician played a melody on the ivories of the grand piano.
Ancient artifacts made from ivories have been found in archaeological digs.
She admired the intricate carvings done on the ivory statue.

Meaning

Ivories refer to the decorative and functional items made from ivory, as well as a colloquial term for piano keys due to their traditional ivory casing.