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Glite Dictionary
Chamaeleo chamaeleon

Chamaeleo chamaeleon

9.9
A small lizard that changes color and lives in parts of southern Europe, North Africa and the Middle East
  • noun
  • Specialized
translation icon : Chamaeleo chamaeleon
  • The Chamaeleo chamaeleon is well-known for its remarkable ability to change the color of its skin.

Examples

  • Researchers observed a Chamaeleo chamaeleon blending into the leafy branches of a Mediterranean tree.

  • Unlike some tropical species, the Chamaeleo chamaeleon is often found in drier, open habitats.

  • The Chamaeleo chamaeleon is famous for its color-changing abilities.

  • Did you know that the Chamaeleo chamaeleon can blend into its environment?

  • Researchers observed a Chamaeleo chamaeleon blending into the leafy branches of a Mediterranean tree.

  • The Chamaeleo chamaeleon is well-known for its remarkable ability to change the color of its skin.

  • Unlike some tropical species, the Chamaeleo chamaeleon is often found in drier, open habitats.

Synonyms

chamaeleon
vsChamaeleo chamaeleon
  • UK
8.6

A lizard from Africa and Madagascar that changes its skin color and catches insects with a long tongue

is native also to southern Europe and the Middle East rather than only Madagascar

Surface Forms

Chamaeleo chamaeleon singular
Chamaeleo chamaeleons plural

Morphology

Chamaeleo + chamaeleon

Both constituents explicitly denote a chameleon/lizard, so a learner who knows those meanings can readily infer that the two-word phrase names a particular chameleon species. While the Latin binomial format is specialized, the referential meaning (‘a kind of chameleon’) is directly compositional and cross-linguistically recognizable as a species name.

Etymology

Chamaeleo chamaeleon is the species name for a small lizard that literally changes color to blend into leaves and branches. That clear image of the animal 'blending in' explains why the name is remembered for its famous 'ability to change color'.