kamala

[ kuh-mey-luh, kam-uh-luh, kuhm- ]

noun
  1. a powder from the capsules of an East Indian tree, Mallotus philippinensis, of the spurge family, used as a yellow dye and in medicine as an anthelmintic.

Origin of kamala

1
Borrowed into English from Sanskrit around 1810–20

Words Nearby kamala

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use kamala in a sentence

  • Here with kamala was the worth and purpose of his present life, nit with the business of Kamaswami.

    Siddhartha | Herman Hesse
  • kamala is imported from India, where it is known under the name of kameela.

  • You'll see that I'll learn quickly, kamala, I have already learned harder things than what you're supposed to teach me.

    Siddhartha | Herman Hesse
  • Into her shady grove stepped the pretty kamala, At the grove's entrance stood the brown Samana.

    Siddhartha | Herman Hesse
  • More lovely, thought the young man, than offerings for gods, More lovely is offering to pretty kamala.

    Siddhartha | Herman Hesse

British Dictionary definitions for kamala

kamala

/ (kəˈmɑːlə, ˈkæmələ) /


noun
  1. an East Indian euphorbiaceous tree, Mallotus philippinensis

  2. a powder obtained from the seed capsules of this tree, used as a dye and formerly as a worm powder

Origin of kamala

1
C19: from Sanskrit, probably of Dravidian origin; compare Kanarese kōmale

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012