vegetable ivory

noun

1
: the hard white opaque endosperm of the ivory nut that takes a high polish and is used as a substitute for ivory
2

Examples of vegetable ivory in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The pieces are not made from any kind of ivory — not elephant ivory, not walrus ivory, not whale ivory, not even vegetable ivory. Tribune News Service, al, 1 June 2022

Word History

First Known Use

1842, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of vegetable ivory was in 1842

Dictionary Entries Near vegetable ivory

Cite this Entry

“Vegetable ivory.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/vegetable%20ivory. Accessed 25 Dec. 2024.

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