EBONY Definition & Meaning

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ebony

[ eb-uh-nee ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

plural ebonies.

a hard, heavy, durable wood, most highly prized when black, from various tropical trees of the genus Diospyros, as D. ebenum of southern India and Sri Lanka, used for cabinetwork, ornamental objects, etc.
any tree yielding such wood.
any of various similar woods or trees.
a deep, lustrous black.

ebony

/ ˈɛ��ə��ɪ /

any of various tropical and subtropical trees of the genus Diospyros, esp D. ebenum of S India, that have hard dark wood: family Ebenaceae See also persimmon
the wood of such a tree, much used for cabinetwork
1. a black colour, sometimes with a dark olive tinge
2. ( as adjective )
  an ebony skin

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Origin of ebony¹

First recorded in 1590–1600; earlier hebeny; ebon; -y perhaps after ivory

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Origin of ebony¹

C16 hebeny , from Late Latin ebeninus from Greek ebeninos, from ebenos ebony, of Egyptian origin

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Examples have not been reviewed.

Well-known trees such as magnolias are among the most threatened, with oaks, maple and ebonies also at risk.

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The title Black Rod comes from the ebony staff, topped with a golden lion, carried by the holder.

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Far, far away in the vastness of deep space, an ebony spaceship awaits.

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Campbell described Isaac as “rather tall, of strong frame, stoops a little, in color ebony; sensible, intelligent, pleasant.”

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Fluffy cottage gardens are more compelling when spiky yuccas or ebony succulents are thrown into the flowery mix.

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