See Also: grizzle(1)(dictionary)
grizzle(2)(dictionary)
grizzle(dictionary)
grizzle(dictionary)

chameleon (iou) and grizzle(2) (iou)


chameleon (iou)



chameleon noun & adjective. Also cameleon, (in sense 4) Chamaeleon. ME.
[Latin chamaeleon from Greek khamaileon, from khamai on the ground + leon lion.]
A. noun.
Any of numerous small lizards of the Old World family Chamaeleontidae, with prehensile tails and the ability to change colour according to their surroundings. ME.
b. An anole or Other lizard able to change colour. N. Amer. L18.
Botany. Either of two plants of the composite family native to southern Europe, Atractylis gummifera (more fully white chameleon) and Cardopatium corymbosum (more fully black chameleon). E16-E18.
fig. Someone or something inconstant or variable. L16.
(Usu. Chameleon.) (The name of) an inconspicuous circumpolar constellation of the southern hemisphere. Also the Chameleon. L17.
Chemistry. Potassium manganate, K2MnO4 (so called from the gradual change in colour of a solution from green to purple on exposure to air). Also mineral chameleon. Only in 19.
b. attrib. or as adjective. = chameleonic. L16.
chamele'onic adjective chameleon-like; given to change, inconstant: E19.
chameleon-like adjective resembling (that of) a chameleon; fig. inconstant: L16.

grizzle(2) (iou)



grizzle verb1 trans. & intrans. M18.
[from GRIZZLE adjective, or back-form. from GRIZZLED.]
Make or become grey or grey-haired.
A. T. Ellis The old wolf-coloured woods, grizzled with snow.