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Webster 1913 Edition


Elephantine

Elˊe-phan′tine

,
Adj.
[L.
elephantinus
of ivory, Gr. [GREEK]: cf. F.
éléphantin
.]
Pertaining to the elephant, or resembling an elephant (commonly, in size); hence, huge; immense; heavy;
as, of
elephantine
proportions; an
elephantine
step or tread.

Webster 1828 Edition


Elephantine

ELEPHANT'INE

,
Adj.
Pertaining to the elephant; huge; resembling an elephant; or perhaps white, like ivory.
1.
In antiquity, an appellation given to certain books in which the Romans registered the transactions of the senate, magistrates, emperors and generals; so called perhaps, as being made of ivory.

Definition 2024


Elephantine

Elephantine

See also: elephantine and éléphantine

English

Proper noun

Elephantine

  1. An island in the river Nile, and the ancient city that occupied it.

Translations

Adjective

Elephantine (not comparable)

  1. Of, from, or pertaining to Elephantine or the Elephantine people.

See also


Latin

Etymology

From Ancient Greek Ἐλεφαντίνη (Elephantínē).

Proper noun

Elephantīnē f (genitive Elephantīnēs); first declension

  1. Elephantine (ancient island city in Egypt)

Declension

First declension, Greek type, with locative.

Case Singular
nominative Elephantīnē
genitive Elephantīnēs
dative Elephantīnae
accusative Elephantīnēn
ablative Elephantīnē
vocative Elephantīnē
locative Elephantīnae

References

elephantine

elephantine

See also: Elephantine and éléphantine

English

Adjective

elephantine (comparative more elephantine, superlative most elephantine)

  1. Of, pertaining to, or characteristic of elephants.
    • 1979 (first edition), Douglas Adams, The Hitch Hiker's Guide to the Galaxy, ISBN 0434003484, page 132:
      The scene around them was currently plunged into gloom. Dark mists swirled round them and elephantine shapes lurked indistinctly in the shadows.
  2. Very large.

Synonyms

  • (of or relating to elephants): elephantic
  • (very large): See also Wikisaurus:gigantic

Derived terms

Translations


Latin

Adjective

elephantine

  1. vocative masculine singular of elephantinus