camel

Definition of camel

cam´el Pronunciation: k

n.

1.

(Zool.) A large ruminant used in Asia and Africa for carrying burdens and for riding. The camel is remarkable for its ability to go a long time without drinking. Its hoofs are small, and situated at the extremities of the toes, and the weight of the animal rests on the callous. The dromedary (Camelus dromedarius) has one bunch on the back, while the Bactrian camel (Camelus Bactrianus) has two. The llama, alpaca, and vicuña, of South America, belong to a related genus (Auchenia).

2.

(Naut.) A water-tight structure (as a large box or boxes) used to assist a vessel in passing over a shoal or bar or in navigating shallow water. By admitting water, the camel or camels may be sunk and attached beneath or at the sides of a vessel, and when the water is pumped out the vessel is lifted.

Camel bird
(Zool.) the ostrich.

Camel locust
(Zool.) the mantis.

Camel's thorn
(Bot.) a low, leguminous shrub (Alhagi maurorum) of the Arabian desert, from which exudes a sweetish gum, which is one of the substances called manna.

Related Words

Cape elk, Siberian husky, Virginia deer, antelope, ass, beast of burden, buck, camelopard, caribou, deer, deerlet, doe, draft animal, dromedary, eland, elephant, elk, fallow deer, fawn, gazelle, giraffe, gnu, hart, hartebeest, hind, horse, husky, kaama, llama, malamute, moose, mule, mule deer, musk deer, okapi, ox, pack horse, red deer, reindeer, roe, roe deer, roebuck, sledge dog, springbok, stag, sumpter, sumpter horse, sumpter mule, wildebeest

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Camass
Camassia
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Cambial
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Cambistry
Cambium
Camblet
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Camboose
Cambrasine
Cambrel
Cambria
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cambric
Cambro-Briton
Came
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Camel bird
Camel locust
Camel's thorn
Camel's-hair pencil
Camel's-hair shawl
Camel-backed
Cameleon
camelhair
camelia
Camelidae
Camelina
Camellia
Camelopard
Camelot
Camelry
Camelshair
Camembert
Cameo
Cameo conch
cameo shells

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