əˈfleɪ, ˈkæm noun
1.
an underground explosion of a bomb or mine that does not break the surface, but leaves an enclosed cavity of gas and smoke.
2.
the pocket formed by such an explosion.
3.
the bomb or mine so exploded and causing such a pocket.
Origin:
1830–40; < French: literally, smoke blown in someone's face as a practical joke, Middle French chault moufflet, equivalent to chault hot (< Latin calidus) + moufflet presumably “puff, breath”; compare Walloon dial. moufler to puff up the cheeks; 1st syllable probably conformed to the expressive formative ca- (see cabbage1)
1830–40; < French: literally, smoke blown in someone's face as a practical joke, Middle French chault moufflet, equivalent to chault hot (< Latin calidus) + moufflet presumably “puff, breath”; compare Walloon dial. moufler to puff up the cheeks; 1st syllable probably conformed to the expressive formative ca- (see cabbage1)
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
Cite This Source
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
Cite This Source
|
Link To camouflet
Explore Dictionary.com
More from Thesaurus.com
Synonyms and Antonyms for camouflet
More from Reference.com
Search for articles containing camouflet
More from Dictionary.com Translator
Translate camouflet into French
Translate camouflet into German
Translate camouflet into Italian
Translate camouflet into another language
00:10
Camouflet
is always a great word to know.
So is callithumpian. Does it mean:
| a children's mummer's parade, as on the Fourth of July, with prizes for the best costumes. |
| a screen or mat covered with a dark material for shielding a camera lens from excess light or glare. |
Dictionary.com Word FAQs
Dictionary.com presents 366 FAQs, incorporating some of the frequently asked questions from the past with newer queries.
Nearby Words
Copyright © 2013 Dictionary.com, LLC. All rights reserved.
