camelid

noun

cam·​el·​id ˈka-mə-ˌlid How to pronounce camelid (audio)
: any of a family (Camelidae) of even-toed, ruminant (see ruminant entry 1) mammals having a 3-chambered stomach and including the camel, llama, guanaco, alpaca, and vicuña

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web Llama Eating llama steak is the norm in Argentina’s northwest, given that the camelid is well adapted to the Jujuy province’s 2,000-plus meters above sea level altitude. Sorrel Moseley-williams, CNN, 5 Mar. 2023 As a proof of principle of the new plant defense strategy, Kamoun’s group turned to two standard camelid nanobodies that recognize not pathogen proteins, but two different fluorescent molecules, including one called green fluorescent protein (GFP). Byerik Stokstad, science.org, 2 Mar. 2023 But the variable domains of the camelid’s heavy-chain-only antibodies are singletons. Christina Szalinski, Discover Magazine, 22 Feb. 2023 Also shown are an extinct camelid known as a palaeolama and a type of horse that lived in the region during the Ice Age. Livia Gershon, Smithsonian Magazine, 1 Dec. 2020 Trooper Levi Macy was monitoring traffic near Baker City around 7:20 a.m. when the call of a wayward camelid wandering the highway came across his radio. oregonlive, 13 Oct. 2020 This antibody is a genetic characteristic llamas share with all camelids, the family of mammals that also includes alpacas, guanacos and dromedaries. Jillian Kramer, New York Times, 6 May 2020 These squishable-when-they're-not-spitting camelids hold antibodies that could hold the key to treating COVID-19, scientists suggested in a study published Tuesday in the journal Cell. TheWeek, 6 May 2020 Caesar the No Drama Llama loves hugs – but for the most part, those are off the table for Oregon’s celebrity camelid. oregonlive, 2 May 2020 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'camelid.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Word History

Etymology

New Latin Camelidae, from Camelus, genus name, from Latin

First Known Use

1911, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of camelid was in 1911

Dictionary Entries Near camelid

Cite this Entry

“Camelid.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/camelid. Accessed 22 Mar. 2023.

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