ˈelɪfənt n. (pl.
same or elephants) 1
the largest
living land animal, of
which two species survive, the larger
African (Loxodonta africana)
and the smaller
Indian (Elephas maximus),
both with a
trunk and long curved
ivory tusks. 2 a size of
paper (711 x 584 mm). øelephant
grass any of
various tall African grasses,
esp. Pennisetum purpureum. elephant seal =
sea elephant. elephant
shrew any
small insect-eating
mammal of the
family Macroscelididae,
native to Africa, having a long
snout and long hind limbs. øøelephantoid adj. [ME olifaunt etc. f. OF oli-, elefant ult. f. L elephantus, elephans f. Gk elephas -antos ivory, elephant]