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Webster 1913 Edition


Chryselephantine

Chrysˊel-e-phan′tine

,
Adj.
[Gr.
χρυσόσ
gold + [GREEK] made of ivory, fr. [GREEK] ivory, elephant.]
Composed of, or adorned with, gold and ivory.
☞ The chryselephantine statues of the Greeks were built up with inferior materials, veneered, as it were, with ivory for the flesh, and gold decorated with color for the hair and garments.

Definition 2024


chryselephantine

chryselephantine

English

Adjective

chryselephantine (comparative more chryselephantine, superlative most chryselephantine)

  1. Made of gold and ivory.
    • 1885: I drew near and perceived that the light came from a precious stone as big as an ostrich egg, set at the upper end of the alcove upon a little chryselephantine couch of ivory and gold; and this jewel, blazing like the sun, cast its rays wide and side. — Sir Richard Burton, The Book of the Thousand Nights and One Night, Night 17

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