marfil

ivory

noun mar-FEEL Rare

Origin: From Arabic marfil, from earlier forms related to elephant tusk trade.

Also means

ivory color

Usage Note

Marfil is both the material (elephant tusk ivory) and the pale creamy-white color it produces. The ivory trade (comercio de marfil) is now heavily regulated internationally. As a color, marfil describes an off-white warmer than blanco puro. The word's Arabic origin (marfil from Arabic 'aẓm al-fīl, 'bone of the elephant') reflects medieval Iberian trade routes.

Examples

"Las teclas del piano antiguo eran de marfil."

Natural Translation

The keys of the old piano were made of ivory.

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