noun
camel
KAM-uhl/ˈkæml/
A large desert mammal with one or two humps.
The camel stands on the sand with its single hump clearly visible.
Etymology
Latin camelus already named the animal used as a beast of burden. A possible deeper connection with Arabic 'to bear' would fit that role, but remains uncertain.
In context
The wild Bactrian camel is smaller and more slender than its domesticated counterpart. Its humps are lower and pointed
More examples
- Two camels rested near the well.
- The camel knelt so its load could be removed.
- A young camel followed the group.
Forms
camel · camels
Similar words
- dromedary
- A one-humped camel.
- Bactrian camel
- The two-humped kind.