n. 1 either of two kinds of large cud-chewing mammals having slender cushion-footed legs and one hump (Arabian camel, Camelus dromedarius) or two humps (Bactrian camel, Camelus bactrianus). 2 a fawn colour. 3 an apparatus for providing additional buoyancy to ships etc. camel (or camel's) -hair 1 the hair of a camel. 2 a a fine soft hair used in artists' brushes. b a fabric made of this.
[ OE f. L camelus f. Gk kamelos, of Semitic orig. ]