Definitions for: Camel

[n] cud-chewing mammal used as a draft or saddle animal in desert regions

Webster (1913) Definition: Cam"el, n. [Oe. camel, chamel, OF. camel, chamel, F.
chameau L. camelus, fr. Gr. ?; of Semitic origin; cf. Heb.
g[=a]m[=a]l, Ar. jamal. Cf. As. camel, fr. L. camelus.]
1. (Zo["o]l.) 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 (C. Bactrianus) has two.
The llama, alpaca, and vicu[~n]a, 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 (Zo["o]l.), the ostrich.

Camel locust (Zo["o]l.), 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.

See Also: Arabian camel, artiodactyl, artiodactyl mammal, Bactrian camel, Camelus, Camelus bactrianus, Camelus dromedarius, dromedary, even-toed ungulate, genus Camelus

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