Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
Dromedary \Drom"e*da*ry\ (dr[u^]m"[-e]*d[asl]*r[y^]), n.; pl.
{Dromedaries}. [F. dromadaire, LL. dromedarius, fr. L. dromas
(sc. camelus), fr. Gr. droma`s running, from dramei`n, used
as aor. of tre`chein to run; cf. Skr. dram to run.]
(Zo["o]l.)
The Arabian camel ({Camelus dromedarius}), having one hump or
protuberance on the back, in distinction from the {Bactrian
camel}, which has two humps.
Note: In Arabia and Egypt the name is restricted to the
better breeds of this species of camel. See {Deloul}.
Camel \Cam"el\, n. [Oe. camel, chamel, OF. camel, chamel, F.
chameau L. camelus, fr. Gr. ?; of Semitic origin; cf. Heb.
g[=a]m[=a]l, Ar. jamal. Cf. As. camel, fr. L. camelus.]
1. (Zo["o]l.) A large ruminant used in Asia and Africa for
carrying burdens and for riding. The camel is remarkable
for its ability to go a long time without drinking. Its
hoofs are small, and situated at the extremities of the
toes, and the weight of the animal rests on the callous.
The dromedary ({Camelus dromedarius}) has one bunch on the
back, while the Bactrian camel ({C. Bactrianus}) has two.
The llama, alpaca, and vicu[~n]a, of South America, belong
to a related genus ({Auchenia}).
2. (Naut.) A water-tight structure (as a large box or boxes)
used to assist a vessel in passing over a shoal or bar or
in navigating shallow water. By admitting water, the camel
or camels may be sunk and attached beneath or at the sides
of a vessel, and when the water is pumped out the vessel
is lifted.
{Camel bird} (Zo["o]l.), the ostrich.
{Camel locust} (Zo["o]l.), the mantis.
{Camel's thorn} (Bot.), a low, leguminous shrub ({Alhagi
maurorum}) of the Arabian desert, from which exudes a
sweetish gum, which is one of the substances called manna.
Source : WordNet®
Camelus dromedarius
n : one-humped camel of the hot deserts of northern Africa and
southwestern Asia [syn: {Arabian camel}, {dromedary}]