white elephant

noun

: something that requires a lot of care and money and that gives little profit or enjoyment

Full Definition of WHITE ELEPHANT

: an Indian elephant of a pale color that is sometimes venerated in India, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Myanmar

a : a property requiring much care and expense and yielding little profit

b : an object no longer of value to its owner but of value to others

c : something of little or no value

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15th century

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