View synonyms for camel

camel

[ kam-uhl ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

either of two large, humped, ruminant quadrupeds of the genus Camelus, of the Old World. Compare Bactrian camel, dromedary.
a color ranging from yellowish tan to yellowish brown.
Also called camel spin. Skating. a spin done in an arabesque position.
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 ( def 3a ).

camel

/ ˈkæməl /

noun

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
a float attached to a vessel to increase its buoyancy See also caisson
a raft or float used as a fender between a vessel and a wharf
1. a fawn colour
2. ( as adjective )
  a camel dress

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Other Words From

cam·el·like adjective

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Word History and Origins

Origin of camel¹

before 950; Middle English, Old English < Latin camēlus < Greek kámēlos < Semitic; compare Hebrew gāmāl

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Word History and Origins

Origin of camel¹

Old English, from Latin camēlus, from Greek kamēlos, of Semitic origin; related to Arabic jamal

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Idioms and Phrases

see under last straw .

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Example Sentences

Import tax and VAT on cattle, sheep, camels and red meat were recently lifted to help stabilise prices across Morocco.

From BBC

While Hagekhalil was on leave, one board member, John Morris, was censured by the MWD board for making a racist remark about another district employee, calling him a “camel jockey.”

From Los Angeles Times

Another group had its leaders on chariots escorted to their campsite in a large procession with music bands, dancers, horses and camels.

From BBC

Another group had its leaders on chariots escorted to their campsite in a large procession with a music band, dancers, horses and camels.

From BBC

During their trips they met a relative claiming to be the world's oldest man, picked up work in tiny sea ports and drank camel's milk straight from the udder.

From BBC

Related Words

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

came camelback

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