camel

[kam-uhl]

noun

1. either of two large, humped, ruminant quadrupeds of the genus Camelus, of the Old World.

2. a color ranging from yellowish tan to yellowish brown.

3. Also called camel spin. Skating.,  a spin done in an arabesque position.

4. Nautical.

   1. Also called pontoon. a float for lifting a deeply laden vessel sufficiently to allow it to cross an area of shallow water.

   2. a float serving as a fender between a vessel and a pier or the like.

   3. caisson.

camel

/ ˈkæməl /

noun

1. either of two cud-chewing artiodactyl mammals of the genus Camelus : family Camelidae. They are adapted for surviving long periods without food or water in desert regions, esp by using humps on the back for storing fat See Arabian camel Bactrian camel

2. a float attached to a vessel to increase its buoyancy See also caisson

3. a raft or float used as a fender between a vessel and a wharf

4. 1. a fawn colour

   2. ( as adjective )

      a camel dress

Other Word Forms

• camellike adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of camel¹

before 950; Middle English, Old English < Latin camēlus < Greek kámēlos < Semitic; compare Hebrew gāmāl

Word History and Origins

Origin of camel¹

Old English, from Latin camēlus, from Greek kamēlos, of Semitic origin; related to Arabic jamal

Idioms and Phrases

see under last straw.

Example Sentences

“Idiot, you have never been near a camel. How do you know what they smell like?”

Read more on Literature

Nanobodies, which are very small proteins found in camelid species such as camels, llamas, and alpacas, may provide a powerful new way to treat brain disorders like schizophrenia and Alzheimer's disease.

Read more on Science Daily

But it’s crazy to think that the way to protect the structural integrity of the tent is to invite the whole camel inside as soon as you spot the nose peeking in.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

After dropping out of school in his early teens, Hemedti earned money trading camels across the desert to Libya and Egypt.

Read more on BBC

"I rode away on a camel with my grandmother, along a sandy road, and I started to cry."

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Related Words

• cream 
• khaki 
• off-white 
• tan 
• taupe