Chameleon

Chameleon
Chameleon Cha*me"le*on (k[.a]*m[=e]"l[-e]*[u^]n), n. [L. Chamaeleon, Gr. chamaile`wn, lit., ``ground lion;'' chamai` on the ground + le`wn lion. See {Humble}, and {Lion}.] (Zo["o]l.) 1. A lizardlike reptile of the genus {Cham[ae]leo}, of several species, found in Africa, Asia, and Europe. The skin is covered with fine granulations; it has eyes which can move separately, the tail is prehensile, and the body is much compressed laterally, giving it a high back. It is remarkable for its ability to change the color of its skin to blend with its surroundings. [Also sometimes spelled {chamaeleon}.] [1913 Webster +PJC]

Note: Its color changes more or less with the color of the objects about it, or with its temper when disturbed. In a cool, dark place it is nearly white, or grayish; on admitting the light, it changes to brown, bottle-green, or blood red, of various shades, and more or less mottled in arrangment. The American chameleons belong to {Anolis} and allied genera of the family {Iguanid[ae]}. They are more slender in form than the true chameleons, but have the same power of changing their colors. [1913 Webster]

2. a person who changes opinions, ideas, or behavior to suit the prevailing social climate; an opportunist. [PJC]

{Chameleon mineral} (Chem.), the compound called {potassium permanganate}, a dark violet, crystalline substance, {KMnO4}, which in formation passes through a peculiar succession of color from green to blue, purple, red, etc. See {Potassium permanganate}, under {Potassium}. [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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  • Chameleon — Éditeur Jaleco Développeur Jaleco Date de sortie 1983 Plate forme Arcade Chameleon est un jeu vidéo de sorti en 1983 sur borne d arcade. Le j …   Wikipédia en Français

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  • chameleon — (n.) mid 14c., from O.Fr. chaméléon, from L. chamaeleon, from Gk. khamaileon the chameleon, from khamai on the ground (also dwarf ), akin to chthon earth (see CHTHONIC (Cf. chthonic)) + leon lion (see LION (Cf …   Etymology dictionary

  • chameleon — [kə mē′lē ən, kəmēl′yən] n. [ME camelioun < L chamaeleon < Gr chamaileōn < chamai, on the ground (akin to chthōn, earth: see HOMAGE) + leōn, LION] 1. any of various Old World lizards (family Chamaeleontidae) with an angular head,… …   English World dictionary

  • CHAMELEON — CHAMELEON, reptile of the family Chamaeleonidae, of which only one species, Chamaeleo chamaeleon, is found in Israel. It changes the color of its skin, according to that of its surroundings, to yellow, green, and black. In Aramaic the chameleon… …   Encyclopedia of Judaism

  • chameleon — (also chamaeleon) ► NOUN ▪ a small slow moving lizard with a long extensible tongue, protruding eyes, and the ability to change colour. DERIVATIVES chameleonic adjective. ORIGIN Greek khamaile n, from khamai on the ground + le n lion …   English terms dictionary

  • Chameleon — For other uses, see Chameleon (disambiguation). Chameleon Common Chameleon, Chamaeleo chamaeleon Scientific classification Kingdom …   Wikipedia

  • chameleon — chameleonic /keuh mee lee on ik/, adj. chameleonlike, adj. /keuh mee lee euhn, meel yeuhn/, n. 1. any of numerous Old World lizards of the family Chamaeleontidae, characterized by the ability to change the color of their skin, very slow… …   Universalium

  • Chameleon — El término Chameleon puede referirse a: Chameleon Twist, un videojuego de plataformas para Nintendo 64. Chameleon Twist 2, la secuela del juego Chameleon Twist. Chameleon, un personaje del videojuego de lucha Mortal Kombat. Chameleon (álbum), un… …   Wikipedia Español

  • chameleon — UK [kəˈmiːlɪən] / US [kəˈmɪlɪən] noun [countable] Word forms chameleon : singular chameleon plural chameleons 1) a type of small lizard with skin that changes colour to match the colours around it 2) someone who changes their opinions, ideas, or… …   English dictionary

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