- chamaeleon
- 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.
