ivoren toren
Dutch
[edit]Etymology
[edit]From Song of Songs 7.4. First attested in the 1890s in the non-religious idiomatic sense, which was borrowed from French tour d’ivoire. The shift in meaning during the twentieth century is possibly influenced by English ivory tower.
Pronunciation
[edit]Noun
[edit]ivoren toren m (plural ivoren torens, diminutive ivoren torentje n)
- (idiomatic, chiefly derogatory) ivory tower
Usage notes
[edit]- Originally referring to sheltered artists, but increasingly referring to academia during the 20th century.
Proper noun
[edit]- (Roman Catholicism) A title of address for Mary (mother of Jesus), or specifically her neck.