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'''Olifant''' and its variations (ex. '']'', '']'') are archaic spellings of ''']'''. Aside from elephants, the word has been used to refer to ], ]s, ] made of elephant tusks, or a musical instrument resembling such horns. '''Olifant''' and its variations (ex. '']'', '']'') are archaic spellings of ''']'''. Aside from elephants, the word has been used to refer to ], ]s, ] made of elephant tusks, or a musical instrument resembling such horns.


It appears in ] as ''olifant'' or ''olifaunt'', and was borrowed from Medieval French ''olifanz''. In Dutch word ''olifant'' means elephant. The French word owes something to both ] ''olbenta'' "camel", and to Latin ''elephantus'' "elephant", a word of ] origin. OHG ''olbenta'' is a word of old ] origin; cf. ] ''ulbandus'' also meaning "camel". But the form of the OHG and Gothic words suggests it is also a borrowing, perhaps indeed directly or indirectly from ] ''elephas'' (ελεφας) literally "ivory", though apparently with some confusion as to the animal the word referred to. It appears in ] as ''olifant'' or ''olifaunt'', and was borrowed from Medieval French ''olifanz''. In Dutch ''olifant'' means elephant. The French word owes something to both ] ''olbenta'' "camel", and to Latin ''elephantus'' "elephant", a word of ] origin. OHG ''olbenta'' is a word of old ] origin; cf. ] ''ulbandus'' also meaning "camel". But the form of the OHG and Gothic words suggests it is also a borrowing, perhaps indeed directly or indirectly from ] ''elephas'' (ελεφας) literally "ivory", though apparently with some confusion as to the animal the word referred to.


The word survives as the surname "Oliphant" found throughout the ] speaking world. The word survives as the surname "Oliphant" found throughout the ] speaking world.

Revision as of 15:00, 30 July 2009

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For other uses, see the word.

Olifant and its variations (ex. oliphant, olyphant) are archaic spellings of elephant. Aside from elephants, the word has been used to refer to ivory, elephant tusks, musical horns made of elephant tusks, or a musical instrument resembling such horns.

It appears in Middle English as olifant or olifaunt, and was borrowed from Medieval French olifanz. In Dutch olifant means elephant. The French word owes something to both Old High German olbenta "camel", and to Latin elephantus "elephant", a word of Greek origin. OHG olbenta is a word of old Germanic origin; cf. Gothic ulbandus also meaning "camel". But the form of the OHG and Gothic words suggests it is also a borrowing, perhaps indeed directly or indirectly from Greek elephas (ελεφας) literally "ivory", though apparently with some confusion as to the animal the word referred to.

The word survives as the surname "Oliphant" found throughout the English speaking world. Although, other sources derive this from "Olive" meaning "peace-loving".

The Song of Roland features an olifant horn owned by the knight Roland.

The word is also used as a name in fiction such as The Canterbury Tales and The Lord of the Rings.

See also

Bibliography

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