camp 1
/kamp/ , n.
1. a place where an army or other group of persons or an individual is lodged in a tent or tents or other temporary means of shelter.
2. such tents or shelters collectively: The regiment transported its camp in trucks.
3. the persons so sheltered: The camp slept through the storm.
4. the act of camping out: Camp is far more pleasant in summer than in winter.
5. any temporary structure, as a tent or cabin, used on an outing or vacation.
6. a group of troops, workers, etc., camping and moving together.
7. army life.
8. a group of people favoring the same ideals, doctrines, etc.: Most American voters are divided into two camps, Republicans and Democrats.
9. any position in which ideals, doctrines, etc., are strongly entrenched: After considering the other side's argument, he changed camps.
10. a recreation area in the country, equipped with extensive facilities for sports.
11. See day camp .
12. See summer camp .
v.i.
13. to establish or pitch a camp: The army camped in the valley.
14. to live temporarily in or as if in a camp or outdoors, usually for recreation (often fol. by out ): They camped by the stream for a week.
15. to reside or lodge somewhere temporarily or irregularly, esp. in an apartment, room, etc.: They camped in our apartment whenever they came to town.
16. to settle down securely and comfortably; become ensconced: The kids camped on our porch until the rain stopped.
17. to take up a position stubbornly: They camped in front of the president's office.
v.t.
18. to put or station (troops) in a camp; shelter.
[ 1520-30; can, camp, orig. dial. (Normandy, Picardy) or campo campus field; cf. OE campe, compe battle, battlefield (c. G Kampf struggle) ]
camp 2
/kamp/ , n.
1. something that provides sophisticated, knowing amusement, as by virtue of its being artlessly mannered or stylized, self-consciously artificial and extravagant, or teasingly ingenuous and sentimental.
2. a person who adopts a teasing, theatrical manner, esp. for the amusement of others.
v.i.
3. Also, camp it up . to speak or behave in a coquettishly playful or extravagantly theatrical manner.
adj.
4. campy: camp Hollywood musicals of the 1940s.
[ 1905-10; perh. dial. camp impetuous, uncouth person (see KEMP 1 ); hence, slightly objectionable, effeminate, homosexual; in some senses prob. special use of CAMP 1 brothel, meeting place of male homosexuals ]