Where does “oliphaunt” come from?
oliphaunt (English) comes from Middle English oliphaunt, from Old French olifant, from Latin elephantus, from Ancient Greek ἐλέφας, from Egyptian ꜣbw — cessation; elephant; elephant tusk.
oliphaunt (English): elephant
Ancestry of “oliphaunt”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|
| 1 | Middle English | oliphaunt | — |
| 2 | Old French | olifant | Alternative form of olifan |
| 3 | Latin | elephantus | An elephant; Ivory |
| 4 | Ancient Greek | ἐλέφας | ivory; elephant |
| 5 | Egyptian | ꜣbw | cessation; elephant; elephant tusk |