camelus dromedarius

3 definitions found

camelus dromedarius - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Dromedary \Drom"e*da*ry\ (dr[u^]m"[-e]*d[asl]*r[y^]), n.; pl.
     Dromedaries (-r[i^]z). [F. dromadaire, LL. dromedarius, fr.
     L. dromas (sc. camelus), fr. Gr. droma`s running, from
     dramei^n, used as aor. of tre`chein to run; cf. Skr. dram to
     run.] (Zool.)
     The Arabian camel (Camelus dromedarius), having one hump or
     protuberance on the back, in distinction from the Bactrian camel
     , which has two humps.
     [1913 Webster]
  
     Note: In Arabia and Egypt the name is restricted to the
           better breeds of this species of camel. See Deloul.
           Dromond

  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]

camelus dromedarius - WordNet (r) 2.1 (2005) :

  Camelus dromedarius
      n 1: one-humped camel of the hot deserts of northern Africa and
           southwestern Asia [syn: Arabian camel, dromedary,
           Camelus dromedarius]