Meaning and usage of the word elephantine in English

Meaning of vocabulary elephantine

elephantineadjective

Voi

/ˌelɪˈfæntaɪn//ˌelɪˈfæntiːn/

Origin of the word elephantine

The word "elephantine" has its origin in the name of the ancient Egyptian city of Elephantine, which was located on an island in the Nile River. The city was a strategic location for the ancient Egyptians, as it controlled the southern entrance to the Nile and the trading routes to Nubia and Ethiopia. The name "Elephantine" is thought to have been derived from the ancient Egyptian word "A-bat", which referred to the city's shape, which resembled an elephant's tusk. The city was an important center of trade and culture, and it was home to a diverse population of Egyptians, Persians, and other cultures. The term "elephantine" has since been used to describe things that are grand, imposing, or dramatic, much like the majestic elephant. It is often used in literature and poetry to describe anything that is huge, sprawling, or excessive.

Vocabulary summary elephantine

typeadjective

meaningelephant

meaningbulky; massive

Example of vocabulary elephantinenamespace

  • The trunk of the elephant was incredibly elephantine, so large and muscular that it seemed almost prehistoric.
  • The elephant's skin was elephantine in thickness, providing excellent protection against predators and the elements.
  • The elephant that charged at the safari guides was an enormous, elephantine beast whose very presence filled the air with an intense energy.
  • The elephantine statues in the temple were over a hundred feet tall, representing the size and power of the ancient deities they worshipped.
  • Despite its elephantine proportions, the circus elephant reacted quickly and obediently to the circus trainer's commands.

Words, synonyms, related vocabulary elephantine

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