white elephant

white elephant

n.

1.

a. A rare, expensive possession that is a financial burden to maintain.

b. Something of dubious or limited value.

2. An article, ornament, or household utensil no longer wanted by its owner.

3. An endeavor or venture that proves to be a conspicuous failure.

4. A rare whitish or light-gray form of the Asian elephant, often regarded with special veneration in regions of southeast Asia and India.

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white elephant

n

1. (Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Animals) a rare albino or pale grey variety of the Indian elephant, regarded as sacred in parts of S Asia

2. a possession that is unwanted by its owner

3. an elaborate venture, construction, etc., that proves useless

4. a rare or valuable possession the upkeep of which is very expensive

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white′ el′ephant
n.

1. a possession unwanted by the owner but difficult to dispose of.

2. a possession entailing great expense out of proportion to its value to the owner.

3. an albino Indian elephant.

[1850–55; from the tale that the King of Siam would award a disagreeable courtier a white elephant, the upkeep of which would ruin the courtier]

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white elephant - The name of this animal, which has an enormous appetite, has come to mean "useless, expensive possession"—or a possession that is more trouble than it is worth.

See also related terms for possession.

Thesaurus

Noun	1.	white elephant - a valuable possession whose upkeep is excessively expensive possession - anything owned or possessed
	2.	white elephant - albinic Indian elephant; rare and sometimes venerated in east Asia Elephas maximus, Indian elephant - Asian elephant having smaller ears and tusks primarily in the male

Translations

white elephant n (fam) → cattedrale f nel deserto