chameleon
pronunciation
How to pronounce chameleon in British English:
UK [kəˈmiːliən]
How to pronounce chameleon in American English:
US [kəˈmiːliən]
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- Noun:
- a changeable or inconstant person
- lizard of Africa and Madagascar able to change skin color and having a projectile tongue
Word Origin
- chameleon (n.)
- mid-14c., camelion, from Old French caméléon, from Latin chamaeleon, from Greek khamaileon "the chameleon," from khamai "on the ground" (also "dwarf"), akin to chthon "earth" (see chthonic) + leon "lion" (see lion). Perhaps the large head-crest on some species was thought to resemble a lion's mane. The classical -h- was restored in English early 18c. Figurative sense of "variable person" is 1580s. It formerly was supposed to live on air (as in "Hamlet" III.ii.98).
Example
- 1. The chameleon won 't ever be a uniform color .
- 2. Chameleon change colour for camouflage and to communicate .
- 3. The chameleon on the mirror is a completely open system .
- 4. What coloris a chameleon placed on the mirror ?
- 5. The film features the voice of johnny depp , who plays a chameleon .