資料來源 : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
Camel \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.