ivory
das Elfenbein, die Elfenbeine
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ivory
The hard, whitish material obtained from the tusks of elephants, walruses, or other animals.
Der Handel mit Elfenbein ist heute international streng verboten.
The trade in ivory is now strictly prohibited internationally.
ivory
A shade of color resembling the material ivory; a warm, creamy white.
Ihr Hochzeitskleid war nicht reinweiß, sondern in einem zarten Elfenbein gehalten.
Her wedding dress was not pure white, but in a delicate ivory.
| gender | neuter das |
|---|---|
| plural | die Elfenbeine |
| genitive | des Elfenbeins |
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | das Elfenbein | die Elfenbeine |
| accusative | das Elfenbein | die Elfenbeine |
| dative | dem Elfenbein | den Elfenbeinen |
| genitive | des Elfenbeins des Elfenbeines | der Elfenbeine |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
The word has a fairy-tale-like origin: it is made up of 'Elfen' (elves) and 'Bein' (an old word for bone). In the past, people thought the material came from elves because they did not know its true origin.
Alte Klaviertasten wurden oft aus Elfenbein gefertigt.
Old piano keys were often made of ivory.
When 'Elfenbein' (ivory) describes the material, it is an uncountable noun. It is often used in the construction 'aus Elfenbein' (made of ivory).
Im Museum sahen wir eine kleine Statue aus Elfenbein.
In the museum, we saw a small statue made of ivory.
The meaning 'Farbton' (shade of color) can be recognized from context. When the topic is clothing, wall paint, cars, or design, it almost always means the color, not the material.
Die Wände sind in einem warmen Elfenbein gestrichen.
The walls are painted in a warm ivory.
To use the color as an adjective, German very often uses the compound 'elfenbeinfarben' (ivory-colored). This pattern (-farben, colored) is common with many materials that are also colors.
Er kaufte sich ein elfenbeinfarbenes Hemd für die Feier.
He bought an ivory-colored shirt for the celebration.
