Eburneoid

/ɪˈbɜːrniɔɪd/ adjective

Definition

Resembling or having the appearance of ivory; ivory-like in quality or appearance.

Etymology

From Latin ebur (ivory) + -oid (Greek suffix meaning 'resembling'). The -oid suffix comes from Greek eidos (form, appearance). This hybrid Latin-Greek construction is typical of scientific terminology created in the 17th-18th centuries.

Kelly Says

Scientific English mixed Latin and Greek freely—'eburneoid' is Latin and Greek smooshed together, which was the Renaissance way of saying 'like ivory' in the most impressive way possible!

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