Difference between revisions of "Chameleon"
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==Origin== | ==Origin== | ||
[https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=English#ca._1100-1500_.09THE_MIDDLE_ENGLISH_PERIOD Middle English] ''camelion'', from Middle French, from [[Latin]] ''chamaeleon'', from [[Greek]] ''chamaileōn'', from ''chamai'' on the ground + ''leōn'' lion | [https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=English#ca._1100-1500_.09THE_MIDDLE_ENGLISH_PERIOD Middle English] ''camelion'', from Middle French, from [[Latin]] ''chamaeleon'', from [[Greek]] ''chamaileōn'', from ''chamai'' on the ground + ''leōn'' lion | ||
− | *[ | + | *[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/14th_century 14th Century] |
− | The [[English]] word ''chameleon'' (also chamaeleon) derives from [[Latin]] ''chamaeleō'', a borrowing of the [ | + | The [[English]] word ''chameleon'' (also chamaeleon) derives from [[Latin]] ''chamaeleō'', a borrowing of the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ancient_Greek_language Ancient Greek] χαμαιλέων (''khamailéōn''), a compound of χαμαί (khamaí) "on the ground" and λέων (léōn) "lion". The [[Greek]] word is a [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calque calque] translating the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Akkadian_language Akkadian] ''nēš'' ''qaqqari'', [[literally]] 'lion ground' (adjectives follow nouns in Akkadian). |
==Defiinitions== | ==Defiinitions== | ||
− | *1: any of a family (Chamaeleontidae) of chiefly [[arboreal]] Old World [ | + | *1: any of a family (Chamaeleontidae) of chiefly [[arboreal]] Old World [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lizard lizards] with prehensile tail, independently movable eyeballs, and unusual [[ability]] to change the [[color]] of the skin |
*2a : a [[person]] given to often expedient or facile [[change]] in [[ideas]] or [[character]] | *2a : a [[person]] given to often expedient or facile [[change]] in [[ideas]] or [[character]] | ||
:b : one that is subject to quick or frequent [[change]] especially in appearance | :b : one that is subject to quick or frequent [[change]] especially in appearance | ||
==Description== | ==Description== | ||
− | '''Chameleons''' (family ''Chamaeleonidae'') are a distinctive and highly specialized [ | + | '''Chameleons''' (family ''Chamaeleonidae'') are a distinctive and highly specialized [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clade clade] of lizards. They are distinguished by their [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zygodactyl zygodactylous] feet, their separately mobile and [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stereoscopic_vision stereoscopic] eyes, their very long, highly [[modified]], and rapidly extrudable tongues, their swaying gait, the possession by many of a [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prehensile prehensile] tail, crests or horns on their distinctively shaped heads, and the ability of some to [[change]] [[color]]. Colors include pink, blue, red, orange, turquoise, yellow, and green. Uniquely adapted for climbing and [[visual]] [[hunting]], the approximately 160 species of chameleon range from Africa, Madagascar, Spain and Portugal, across south Asia, to Sri Lanka, have been introduced to Hawaii, California, and Florida, and are found in warm [[habitats]] that vary from rain forest to [[desert]] conditions. Chameleons are often kept as household pets.[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chameleon] |
[[Category: Zoology]] | [[Category: Zoology]] |
Latest revision as of 23:42, 12 December 2020
Origin
Middle English camelion, from Middle French, from Latin chamaeleon, from Greek chamaileōn, from chamai on the ground + leōn lion
The English word chameleon (also chamaeleon) derives from Latin chamaeleō, a borrowing of the Ancient Greek χαμαιλέων (khamailéōn), a compound of χαμαί (khamaí) "on the ground" and λέων (léōn) "lion". The Greek word is a calque translating the Akkadian nēš qaqqari, literally 'lion ground' (adjectives follow nouns in Akkadian).
Defiinitions
- 1: any of a family (Chamaeleontidae) of chiefly arboreal Old World lizards with prehensile tail, independently movable eyeballs, and unusual ability to change the color of the skin
- 2a : a person given to often expedient or facile change in ideas or character
- b : one that is subject to quick or frequent change especially in appearance
Description
Chameleons (family Chamaeleonidae) are a distinctive and highly specialized clade of lizards. They are distinguished by their zygodactylous feet, their separately mobile and stereoscopic eyes, their very long, highly modified, and rapidly extrudable tongues, their swaying gait, the possession by many of a prehensile tail, crests or horns on their distinctively shaped heads, and the ability of some to change color. Colors include pink, blue, red, orange, turquoise, yellow, and green. Uniquely adapted for climbing and visual hunting, the approximately 160 species of chameleon range from Africa, Madagascar, Spain and Portugal, across south Asia, to Sri Lanka, have been introduced to Hawaii, California, and Florida, and are found in warm habitats that vary from rain forest to desert conditions. Chameleons are often kept as household pets.[1]