camel

Everyday

1. A camel is a large animal with a long neck and one or two humps on its back, which lives in deserts. tree →
2. Camel is a light brown colour. tree →

In the lessons

In science lessons camels show adaptation to the desert: humps store fat (not water), wide feet do not sink in sand, long eyelashes and closing nostrils keep sand out, and they can go days without drinking. In geography camels carry people and goods across deserts; wild camels live in Australia. Phrases: camel ride, camel train, the straw that broke the camel's back.

Examples

• A camel can walk for days in the desert. tree →
• The camel has two humps. tree →
• We rode a camel on holiday. tree →
• A camel's hump stores fat. tree →
• Camels have long eyelashes to keep out sand. tree →
• Thousands of wild camels live in Australia. tree →
• She wore a camel coat. tree →
• “The proper way,” said the camel. “We all sat down--” tree →

Note

Countable noun. One hump = dromedary (Arabian camel); two humps = Bactrian camel (easy trick: D has one bump, B has two). Myth: the hump is full of water — it is fat, which the body can turn into energy. Spelling: camel, not «camle».

In Jewish tradition

Camels were used for riding and carrying goods in the desert. A camel is also an unclean animal, which Jews may not eat.

Interpretation. Rebekah was known as the girl who gave water to Eliezer's camels. The rabbis took that kindness as the sign by which she was chosen. The camel is named in the Torah as having a split hoof but not chewing the cud, so it is not kosher.

Examples

• So I drank, and she made the camels drink also. (Torah GEN.24.46, JPS 1917) tree →
• Then Jacob rose up, and set his sons and his wives upon the camels; (Torah GEN.31.17, JPS 1917) tree →
• And Rebekah arose, and her damsels, and they rode upon the camels, and followed the man. (Torah GEN.24.61, JPS 1917) tree →
• their camels, four hundred thirty and five; their asses, six thousand seven hundred and twenty. (Writings EZR.2.67, JPS 1917) tree →
• and over the camels was Obil the Ishmaelite; and over the asses was Jehdeiah the Meronothite; (Writings 1CH.27.30, JPS 1917) tree →
• They smote also the tents of cattle, and carried away sheep in abundance and camels, and returned to Jerusalem. (Writings 2CH.14.14, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Countable noun. One hump = dromedary (Arabian camel); two humps = Bactrian camel (easy trick: D has one bump, B has two). Myth: the hump is full of water — it is fat, which the body can turn into energy. Spelling: camel, not «camle».