[camp] n, often attrib [MF, prob. fr. ONF or OProv, fr. L campus plain, field] (1528) 1 a: a place usu. away from urban areas where tents or simple buildings (as cabins) are erected for shelter or for temporary residence (as for laborers, prisoners, or vacationers) "migrant labor ~" b: a group of tents, cabins, or huts "fishing ~s along the river" c: a settlement newly sprung up in a lumbering or mining region d: a place usu. in the country for recreation or instruction during the summer "goes to ~ every July" "computer ~" "football ~"
2. a: a body of persons encamped b (1): a group of persons; esp: a group engaged in promoting or defending a theory, doctrine, position, or person (2): an ideological position
3: military service or life
[2]camp vi (1543) 1: to make camp or occupy a camp
2: to live temporarily in a camp or outdoors--often used with out
3: to take up one's quarters: lodge
4: to take up one's position: settle down ~ vt: to put into a camp; also: accommodate [3]camp n [origin unknown] (ca. 1909) 1: exaggerated effeminate mannerisms exhibited esp. by homosexuals
2: a homosexual displaying camp
3: something so outrageously artificial, affected, inappropriate, or out-of-date as to be considered amusing
4: something self-consciously exaggerated or theatrical -- camp.i.ly adv -- camp.i.ness n -- campy adj [4]camp adj (1909): of, relating to, being, or displaying camp "~ send-ups of the songs of the fifties and sixties --John Elsom" [5]camp vi (1925): to engage in camp: exhibit the qualities of camp "he ... was ~ing, hands on hips, with a quick eye to notice every man who passed by --R. M. McAlmon"