I. ˈkaməˌflä]zh, -ˌȧ] also -äm- or -ȧm- or ]j\ noun
( -s )
Usage: often attributive
Etymology: French, from camoufler to disguise (modification of Italian camuffare ) + French -age
1.
a. : the disguising of an installation, vehicle, gun position, or ship with paint, garnished nets, or foliage to reduce its visibility or conceal its actual nature or location from the enemy
b. : the disguise so applied or utilized
battleship-gray paint is an effective camouflage on a cloudy day
2.
a. : concealment by means of disguise
a totally different means of camouflage is used by the spider crab — W.H.Dowdeswell
b. : a disguise, behavior, or expedient adopted or designed to deceive or hide
behind this undistinguished camouflage of “everyman” resides a subtle and confusing individuality — C.L.Sulzberger
II. verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
transitive verb
: to conceal or disguise by camouflage
guns that had been camouflaged with green saplings — Edmund Wilson
his carriage flanked by detectives thinly camouflaged in tall hats and frock coats — J.J.Horgan
they wanted to prevent and correct their mistakes, not camouflage them — Milton Silverman
intransitive verb
: to practice camouflage
you can camouflage all you want to — Sinclair Lewis
III. adjective
Etymology: camouflage , noun
: made in colors or patterns typical of camouflage
a camouflage jacket