English

Noun

elephantry ‎(plural elephantries)

1. (military, historical) That branch of an army that uses elephants.
   • 1889, William Wotherspoon Ireland, Through the Ivory Gate: Studies in Psychology and History:

     The king replied in a proclamation to his subjects that he was going to appear in person "with large forces of infantry, artillery, elephantry, and cavalry, by land and water, and with the might of his army efface these heretic Kalas, and annex their country."

   • 2003, Jyoti Prasad Rajkhowa, Generalissimo Chilarai and his times, page 390:

     The elephantry always preceded the army and was primarily used to clear the road, demolish enemy forts, launch night attacks and for defending their own forts and in transporting war materials.

   • 2005, K.K. Sinha, Oriental and Western Science and Cosmology, page 31:

     Ashok maintained a large army (infantry) more than nine lakhs, a few thousand cavalries and elephantries.

Coordinate terms

• artillery
• cavalry
• chariotry
• infantry
• navy

Translations