View synonyms for chamois

chamois

[ sham-ee; French sha-mwah ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

, plural cham·ois, cham·oix [sham, -eez, sh, a, -, mwah].

an agile, goatlike antelope, Rupicapra rupicapra, of high mountains of Europe: now rare in some areas.
a soft, pliable leather from any of various skins dressed with oil, especially fish oil, originally prepared from the skin of the chamois.
a piece of this leather.
a cotton cloth finished to simulate this leather.
a medium to grayish yellow color.

, cham·oised [sham, -eed], cham·ois·ing [sham, -ee-ing].

chamois

/ ˈʃæmɪ; ʃamwa /

ˈʃæmwɑː a sure-footed goat antelope, Rupicapra rupicapra, inhabiting mountains of Europe and SW Asia, having vertical horns with backward-pointing tips
a soft suede leather formerly made from the hide of this animal, now obtained from the skins of sheep and goats
Also calledchamois leathershammyshammy leatherchammychammy leatherˈʃæmɪ a piece of such leather or similar material used for polishing, etc
ˈʃæmwɑː
1. a yellow to greyish-yellow colour
2. (as modifier)
  a chamois stamp

Origin of chamois¹

First recorded in 1525–35; from Middle French, from Late Latin camox, presumably of pre-Latin origin; gems

Origin of chamois¹

C16: from Old French, from Late Latin camox of uncertain origin

The Mail, helpfully, reports that Pippa has stocked up with special “chamois cream” for the purpose of protecting her butt.

The outside, also, well polished with sweet oil and stale milk, then enveloped in chamois leather.

The sight of the fellow wandering about a garden bareheaded and gloved in yellow chamois leather had begun to affect my nerves.

With weak unsteady steps he paced his room, and looked at the old Swiss chamois-gun above the door.

You will be glad to hear that Sir John's chamois leather waistcoat fits me quite well.

The chamois were very wary,—they would send one to look out; but the hunter must be still more wary,—put them off the scent.

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