chamaeleon

Noun
Synonyms: ChamaeleonChameleonchameleon

WordNet 3.0

Noun (2)

  1. a faint constellation in the polar region of the southern hemisphere near Apus and MensaSynonyms: ChamaeleonChameleon
  2. lizard of Africa and Madagascar able to change skin color and having a projectile tongueSynonyms: chameleon
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Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)

chamaeleon \chamaeleon\ n. [L. Chamaeleon, Gr. chamaile`wn, lit., "ground lion;" chamai` on the ground + le`wn lion.] (Zool.) a lizard of Africa and Madagascar able to change skin color and having a projectile tongue.

Syn: chameleon. [WordNet 1.5]

Chamaeleon \Chamaeleon\ n. (Astronomy) a small constellation in the southern skies between Hydrus and Musca.

Syn: Chameleon. [PJC] Chamaeleonidae

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.] (Zool.)

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]

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