Library / English Dictionary

WHITE ELEPHANT

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 I. (noun) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

Albinic Indian elephant; rare and sometimes venerated in east Asia

Classified under:

Nouns denoting animals

Hypernyms ("white elephant" is a kind of...):

Elephas maximus; Indian elephant (Asian elephant having smaller ears and tusks primarily in the male)

Sense 2

Meaning:

A valuable possession whose upkeep is excessively expensive

Classified under:

Nouns denoting possession and transfer of possession

Hypernyms ("white elephant" is a kind of...):

possession (anything owned or possessed)

Credits