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

"The straw that broke the camel's back was a few weeks ago," he said.

From BBC

"We have camels that could drink 200ml in the space of a couple of minutes. We're heavily reliant on bottled water donations," she said.

From BBC

Palms suck down water like camels, but give back barely enough leafiness to shade a Hula-Hoop.

From Los Angeles Times

Palms are freeloader trees: They suck down water like camels, but give back barely enough leafiness to shade a Hula-Hoop.

From Los Angeles Times

So it is impossible to know for sure what was the straw that broke the camel's back to lead to this decision being taken now.

From BBC

Related Words

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