Elfenbein

From Middle High German helfenbein, from Old High German helfantbein (“ivory”), from helfant (“elephant; ivory”) + bein (“bone”), equivalent to modern German Elefant +‎ Bein. The loss of initial h- in early modern German was due to the influence of Latin elephās. Since the 19th century the word has been remotivated, somewhat meaningfully (with regard to the pure white colour of ivory), as Elfe (“elf”) +‎ Bein (“bone”).

• IPA^(key): /ˈɛl.fənˌbaɪ̯n/, [ˈʔɛl.fm̩ˌbaɪ̯n], [ˈʔɛl.fən-]

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• Rhymes: -aɪ̯n

Elfenbein n (genitive Elfenbeins or Elfenbeines, plural Elfenbeine)

1. ivory (material)

• Elefant
• Bein

• Elfenbein in Duden online