chameleon

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“
It did not see the boys; or, at all events, did not regard their presence--for the chameleon is a bold little animal, and is not afraid of man.

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Definitions (14)

Toggle American Heritage definitions American Heritage Dictionary (4)

  1. noun Any of various tropical Old World lizards of the family Chamaeleonidae, characterized by their ability to change color.
  2. noun See anole.
  3. noun A changeable or inconstant person: "In his testimony, the nominee came off as . . . a chameleon of legal philosophy” (Joseph A. Califano, Jr.)
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Examples (50)

  • His eyes changed color like a chameleon, first brown, then greenish gold when she viewed them in the muted light from the window. —  In His Own Defense
  • O 'Donnell will play the role of Callen, who is described as a chameleon who can take on different identities, while LL Cool J is playing the role of Sam Hannah, who is described as a US Navy Seal, a charming guy with a tough exterior.
  • Beatty has recorded five instrumental albums and can change styles like a chameleon -- everything from rock to Latin to funk. —  Gearwire -
  • The peace party changed color like a chameleon, and was all for war. —  A Half Century of Conflict - Volume I France and England in North America
  • We fancy that Sir WILLIAM really said "chameleon," but most schoolmasters will think that the other word is just as good Illustration: THE CRACK OF DOOM ESSENCE OF PARLIAMENT Extracted from the Diary of Toby, M.P Illustration: Paddy. —  Punch, or the London Charivari, Vol. 150, January 12, 1916
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Etymologies (2)

Toggle American Heritage etymologies American Heritage Dictionary (1)

  1. Middle English camelioun, from Latin chamaeleōn, from Greek khamaileōn : khamai, on the ground; see dhghem- in Indo-European roots + leōn, lion (loan translation of Akkadian nēš qaqqari, ground lion, lizard); see lion.

Toggle Century etymologies Century Dictionary (1)

  1. The modern spelling chameleon, sometimes chamæleon, imitates the L. (like chamomile for camomile); early modern English cameleon, camelion, from Middle English camelion, from Latin chamæleon (= Arabic Persian qalamūn), from Greek χαμαιλέων, literally ‘ground-lion,’ that is, low or dwarf lion, from χαμαί, on the ground, + λέων, lion.
 

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/kæˈmiləən/
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