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.

kamala

/ ˈkæmələ, kəˈmɑːlə /

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of kamala¹

Borrowed into English from Sanskrit around 1810–20

Word History and Origins

Origin of kamala¹

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

Example Sentences

When Boxer retired in 2016, Brown helped promote Boxer’s successor, Kamala Harris.

From Los Angeles Times

Dame Anna, who has supported Democratic candidates in the past, has over the years featured Hillary Clinton, Michelle Obama, Jill Biden and, most recently, Kamala Harris.

From BBC

The Los Angeles Police Department on Saturday discontinued its protection for former Vice President Kamala Harris after heavy criticism within its own ranks that officers were being diverted from crime suppression, sources told The Times.

From Los Angeles Times

The department is “assisting the California Highway Patrol in providing protective services for former Vice President Kamala Harris until an alternate plan is established,” said Jennifer Forkish, L.A. police communications director, on Thursday.

From Los Angeles Times

Goldenberg, who served as director for Jewish Outreach and Policy Advisor for the Kamala Harris presidential campaign, said he doesn’t see the war in Gaza as the deciding issue in 2024 but that there was “certainly a negative hangover feeling amongst parts of the Democratic base that goes back to this issue.”

From Salon