camel
English meaning: Camel
Definition
A beast of burden, much used in desert areas, of the genus Camelus.
Example
“We rode a camel across the dunes at sunset.”
Another example: “The traders crossed the desert with a long caravan of camels.”
Usage — When, Where & How
A common noun for the large humped desert mammal used for transport and carrying loads; everyday and general register. Also gives the colour name 'camel' (a light tan). Two main types: the one-humped dromedary and the two-humped Bactrian.
Etymology & Origin
English — Origin & History
From Latin 'camelus', from Greek 'kamelos', ultimately of Semitic origin (compare Hebrew 'gamal'); in English since Old English times.
Synonyms
- dromedary
- bactrian
- beast of burden
Related Words
- dromedary
- bactrian
- hump
- caravan
- cigarettes
- urine
- goat
- clutch
- cigarette
- donkey
Common Collocations
- ride a camel
- camel caravan
- camel hair
- camel's hump
- desert camel
Word Forms
camel (n); camels (pl); cameleer (n)
Word Tools
Literary Heritage
“To thine own self be true, and it must follow, as the night the day, thou canst not then be false to any man.”
/To thine own self be true/
“Be honest with yourself — and as naturally as night follows day, you will be unable to be false to others.”
“I'm nobody! Who are you? Are you nobody, too?”
/I'm nobody! Who are you?/
“I am nobody — and that quiet anonymity is more honest than the noise of public fame.”
Images
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Language information
- Language
- English
- English
- Script
- Latin
- Family
- Indo-European
- Speakers
- 1.5B