from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
camel \cam"el\ (k[a^]m"[e^]l), n. [OE. camel, chamel, OF. camel,
chamel, F. chameau L. camelus, fr. Gr. ka`mhlos; of Semitic
origin; cf. Heb. g[=a]m[=a]l, Ar. jamal. Cf. As. camel, fr.
L. camelus.]
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 hump on the
back, while the Bactrian camel ({Camelus Bactrianus}) has
two. The llama, alpaca, and vicu[~n]a, of South America,
belong to a related genus ({Auchenia}).
[1913 Webster]
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.
[1913 Webster]
{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.
[1913 Webster]