camel locust

1 definition found

camel locust - 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]