chamaeleon

English

Noun

chamaeleon (plural chamaeleons)

  1. Alternative spelling of chameleon

Latin

Etymology

From Ancient Greek χαμαιλέων (khamailéōn), from χαμαί (khamaí, on the earth, on the ground) + λέων (léōn, lion); ultimately a calque from Akkadian 𒌨𒈤𒊭𒆠 (nēšu ša qaqqari, chameleon, reptile, literally lion of the ground", "predator that crawls upon the ground).

Pronunciation

  • (Classical) IPA(key): /kʰaˈmae̯.le.on/, [kʰaˈmae̯.ɫe.õ]

Noun

chamaeleon m (genitive chamaeleōnis); third declension

  1. chameleon (lizard)

Inflection

The singular genitive is sometimes chamaeleōntis, with a corresonding change in other forms.

References

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