llama

Everyday

1. A llama is a South American animal like a small camel without a hump, with a long neck and thick woolly coat, kept for carrying loads and for its wool. tree →
2. (Buddhism) A different word, lama (one l), means a Buddhist teacher, like the Dalai Lama. tree →

In the lessons

In geography lessons about the Andes, llamas carry goods on mountain paths, as they did for the Incas; their wool, meat and dung (as fuel) are useful. Llamas live in herds and may spit when annoyed. Cousins: alpacas (smaller, woollier), guanacos and vicuñas. Phrases: «a herd of llamas», «llama trekking».

Examples

• Llamas carried our bags up the mountain path in Peru. tree →
• A llama spat at the farmer when he got too close. tree →
• Llamas are related to camels. tree →
• The Incas used llamas as pack animals. tree →
• Some farms in Britain keep llamas to protect sheep from foxes. tree →
• An alpaca is smaller and fluffier than a llama. tree →
• We went llama trekking on our holiday. tree →
• An enormous cobra which had crept up the stem of a tall palm tree threw itself on to a little llama that was grazing at the foot. tree →

Note

Plural «llamas». Spelling: double l at the start. Trap: «lama» (one l) is a Buddhist monk or teacher; «llama» is the animal. In Spanish «ll» sounds like «y», so some people say YAH-ma, but English speakers usually say LAH-ma.