camel: [OE] Naturally enough, camel is of Semitic origin: Hebrew has gāmāl, for example, and Arabic jamal. It was a relative of these that was the source of Greek kámēlos, which passed via Latin camēlus into English as early as the mid 10th century. (It replaced a previous Old English olfend, a word – shared by other early Germanic languages – apparently based on the misconception that a camel was an elephant.)
camel (n.)
Old English camel, perhaps via Old North French camel (Old French chamel, Modern French chameau), from Latin camelus, from Greek kamelos, from Hebrew or Phoenician gamal, perhaps related to Arabic jamala "to bear."
Another Old English word for the beast was olfend, apparently based on confusion of camels with elephants in a place and time when both were known only from travelers' vague descriptions. The Arabian have one hump (the lighter variety is the dromedary); the Bactrian have two.
双语例句
1. The camel's feet, well adapted for dry sand, are useless on mud.
骆驼的蹄子虽然非常适合于在干沙上行走,碰到泥泞时却无计可施。
来自柯林斯例句
2. A camel can bear burden.
骆驼能驮重.
来自《简明英汉词典》
3. The camel has a game leg.
那只骆驼有一只腿瘸.
来自《简明英汉词典》
4. Strain at a gnat and swallow a camel.
小事拘谨,大事糊涂.
来自《简明英汉词典》
5. When fresh food and water are not available, the camel can feed off its hump.