Oliphaunt

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A large, mythical creature resembling an elephant, often found in ancient literature and fantasy tales
2. A term used in historical contexts to describe an illustrious beast associated with grandeur and magnificence
3. A legendary animal symbolizing strength and majesty, typically depicted in medieval bestiaries and folklore

Etymology: The word is famous mainly from J.R.R. Tolkien, who revived it for the great beasts of Middle-earth, but it is much older than his books. It comes from Middle English "oliphaunt" and "olifaunt", which were borrowed from Old French "olifant", itself descended from Latin "elephantus". In other words, it is simply the ordinary word "elephant" carried through French and then Middle English, where its spelling and sound drifted far from the Latin form. Because the word was in use for centuries as a plain name for the real animal, its later sense as a fantastical creature is a notable reversal. Medieval writers used "olifaunt" for the elephant itself, and the word only took on its imaginative, mythical flavour when Tolkien chose it for his giant beasts, giving an old synonym for a familiar animal a new life as a creature of legend.