Dictionary
Thesaurus
Encyclopedia
Translator
Web
Popular Searches
Nearby Words

camasses

 - 2 dictionary results

cam⋅ass

  [kam-uhs]
Use camasses in a Sentence
–noun
1. any of several plants of the genus Camassia, of the lily family, esp. C. quamash, of western North America, having long clusters of blue to white flowers and edible bulbs.
2. death camass.
Also, camas.

Origin:
1795–1805, Americanism; < Chinook Jargon qamaš, qawaš < Nootka qawaš-, qawi- salmonberry, any berry or small fruit
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To camasses
cam·as or cam·ass   (kām'əs)   
n.  

  1. Any of several plants of the genus Camassia in the lily family, especially C. quamash of western North America, having grasslike leaves, a raceme of blue flowers, and a bulb that was an important food for various Native American peoples. Also called quamash.

  2. Death camas.


[Chinook Jargon, perhaps of Nootka origin.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Search another word or see camasses on Thesaurus | Reference
FacebookTwitterFollow us:
Partner Sites:
Ask AnswersEviteExpediaHotelsHotwireLife123LiveDailyMy Way