Tusk

Pronunciation: /tʌsk/

Definitions of tusk

noun a long, pointed tooth, usually one of a pair, that protrudes from the mouth of certain animals such as elephants, walruses, or wild boars

Example Sentences

A1 The elephant uses its tusks to dig for water.

A2 The hunter admired the impressive tusks of the elephant.

B1 Poaching of elephants for their tusks is a major problem in Africa.

B2 The ivory tusks of the elephant were illegally traded on the black market.

C1 Conservation efforts have led to a decrease in the demand for elephant tusks.

C2 The intricate carvings on the ivory tusk were a testament to the artisan's skill.

Examples of tusk in a Sentence

formal The elephant's tusk is a valuable commodity in the illegal ivory trade.

informal I can't believe how long that walrus's tusk is!

slang Check out the size of that dude's tusk! It's massive!

figurative His sharp wit was like a tusk, cutting through the nonsense with ease.

Grammatical Forms of tusk

• past tense: tusked
• plural: tusks
• comparative: more tusk
• superlative: most tusk
• present tense: tusks
• future tense: will tusk
• perfect tense: have tusked
• continuous tense: is tusked
• singular: tusk
• positive degree: tusk
• infinitive: to tusk
• gerund: tusking
• participle: tusking

Origin and Evolution of tusk

First Known Use: 1300 year

Language of Origin: Old Norse

Story behind the word: The word 'tusk' originated from the Old Norse word 'tǫskr' which meant 'tooth' or 'tusk'.

Evolution of the word: Over time, the word 'tusk' specifically came to refer to the long, pointed teeth that protrude from the mouths of certain animals, such as elephants, walruses, and wild boars.