camp

1
[ kamp ]
/ kæmp /

noun

verb (used without object)

verb (used with object)

to put or station (troops) in a camp; shelter.

Origin of camp

1
1520–30; < Middle French can, camp, orig. dial. (Normandy, Picardy) or < Old Provençal < Italian campo < Latin campus field; compare Old English campe, compe battle, battlefield (cognate with German Kampf struggle) < Germanic < Latin

Definition for camp (2 of 4)

camp 2
[ kamp ]
/ kæmp /

noun

something that provides sophisticated, knowing amusement, as by virtue of its being artlessly mannered or stylized, self-consciously artificial and extravagant, or teasingly ingenuous and sentimental.
a person who adopts a teasing, theatrical manner, especially for the amusement of others.

verb (used without object)

Also camp it up. to speak or behave in a coquettishly playful or extravagantly theatrical manner.

adjective

campy: camp Hollywood musicals of the 1940s.

Origin of camp

2
1905–10; perhaps dial. camp impetuous, uncouth person (see kemp1); hence, slightly objectionable, effeminate, homosexual; in some senses probably special use of camp1 brothel, meeting place of male homosexuals

Definition for camp (3 of 4)

Camp
[ kamp ]
/ kæmp /

noun

Walter Chaun·cey [chawn-see, chahn-] /ˈtʃɔn si, ˈtʃɑn-/,1859–1925, U.S. football coach and author.

Definition for camp (4 of 4)

cAMP
[ kamp ]
/ kæmp /

noun Biochemistry.

Example sentences from the Web for camp

British Dictionary definitions for camp (1 of 3)

camp 1
/ (kæmp) /

noun

verb

Derived forms of camp

camping, noun

Word Origin for camp

C16: from Old French, ultimately from Latin campus field

British Dictionary definitions for camp (2 of 3)

camp 2
/ (kæmp) informal /

adjective

effeminate; affected in mannerisms, dress, etc
homosexual
consciously artificial, exaggerated, vulgar, or mannered; self-parodying, esp when in dubious taste

verb

(tr) to perform or invest with a camp quality
camp it up
  1. to seek to focus attention on oneself by making an ostentatious display, overacting, etc
  2. to flaunt one's homosexuality

noun

a camp quality, style, etc

Word Origin for camp

C20: of uncertain origin

British Dictionary definitions for camp (3 of 3)

Camp
/ (kæmp) /

noun

Walter (Chauncey). 1859–1925, US sportsman and administrator; he introduced new rules to American football, which distinguished it from rugby.

Medical definitions for camp

cAMP

abbr.

cyclic AMP

Idioms and Phrases with camp

camp