Main Entry:

cha·me·leon

Pronunciation:

\kə-ˈmēl-yən\

Function:

noun

Usage:

often attributive

Etymology:

Middle English camelion, from Middle French, from Latin chamaeleon, from Greek chamaileōn, from chamai on the ground + leōn lion — more at humble

Date:

14th century

1: any of a family (Chamaeleontidae) of chiefly arboreal Old World lizards with prehensile tail, independently movable eyeballs, and unusual ability to change the color of the skin2 a: a person given to often expedient or facile change in ideas or character b: one that is subject to quick or frequent change especially in appearance3: american chameleon

— cha·me·le·on·ic \-ˌmē-lē-ˈä-nik\ adjective

— cha·me·leon·like \-ˌlīk\ adjective