camel
pronunciation
How to pronounce camel in British English:
UK [ˈkæml]
How to pronounce camel in American English:
US [ˈkæml]
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- Noun:
- cud-chewing mammal used as a draft or saddle animal in desert regions
Word Origin
- camel
- camel: [OE] Naturally enough, camel is of Semitic origin: Hebrew has gāmāl, for example, and Arabic jamal. It was a relative of these that was the source of Greek kámēlos, which passed via Latin camēlus into English as early as the mid 10th century. (It replaced a previous Old English olfend, a word – shared by other early Germanic languages – apparently based on the misconception that a camel was an elephant.)
- camel (n.)
- Old English camel, perhaps via Old North French camel (Old French chamel, Modern French chameau), from Latin camelus, from Greek kamelos, from Hebrew or Phoenician gamal, perhaps related to Arabic jamala "to bear." Another Old English word for the beast was olfend, apparently based on confusion of camels with elephants in a place and time when both were known only from travelers' vague descriptions. The Arabian have one hump (the lighter variety is the dromedary); the Bactrian have two.
Example
- 1. A woman leads a zebra around , another a camel .
- 2. I asked him what he thought one of the best looks was , and he indicated a camel cape .
- 3. I have been persuaded by a travelling friend to buy some walking sandals they are undeniably comfortable , but look as if two camel spiders are hugging my feet .
- 4. Camel racing is another popular sport .
- 5. A furious camel has bitten his forearm .