camel-thorn, noun

Forms:
Also with initial capitals.
Plurals:
unchanged, or camel-thorns.
Origin:
South African DutchShow more Calque formed on South African Dutch kameeldoring, see kameeldoring.
In full camel-thorn tree: any of several species of Acacia tree, especially A. erioloba of the Fabaceae; giraffe acacia, see giraffe; kameeldoring; mokaala. Also attributive. See also vaaldoring (vaal sense 2).
1824 W.J. Burchell Trav. II. 292Some scattered trees of Camel-thorn, or Mokaala, gave a most picturesque and remarkable character to the landscape.
1821 Missionary Notices Dec.Comfortably screened from the scorching rays of the sun, under the spreading boughs of a large Camel Thorn, which stands close to the river.
1838 J.E. Alexander Exped. into Int. II. 115We gladly off-packed, after seventeen miles, under a mighty camel thorn, opposite the junction of the two rivers.
1846 R. Moffat Missionary Labours 34Near a very small fountain, which was shown to me, stood a camel thorn-tree (Acacia Giraffe).
1871 E.J. Dugmore Diary. 9There are some very beautiful camel-thorn about here. We do not see them in the Colony. They are larger than our mimosa.
1896 M.A. Carey-Hobson At Home in Tvl 91A fine specimen of the camel thorn (Acacia horrida), the tree so often noticed by travellers..on account of the large amount of grateful shade which even one tree will afford.
1907 W.C. Scully By Veldt & Kopje 226I did not then make for the camp, but for a low ridge to the northward, on which a number of ‘camel-thorn’ trees were visible.
1917 R. Marloth Dict. of Common Names of Plants 17Camel Thorn, Acacia Giraffae. A tree of slow growth but of large dimensions when fully developed. Wood dark brown and very hard.
1977 F.G. Butler Karoo Morning 41A portion of earth under some old camelthorns was levelled and covered with a wagon sail: this was the dance floor.
1980 S. Afr. Panorama Dec. 46Crimson cascades of bougainvillea and gaudy red-blooming avenues of flamboyants or umbrella-like camel-thorns.
1990 Grocott’s Mail 2 Mar. 9Both the Camel Thorn and the Mimosa tree exude a gum which can be chewed as a sweet, while the seeds of both make good coffee substitutes.
1991 J. Huntley in Sunday Star 16 Feb. (Weekend) 4Elephants habitually push or bump these camel-thorn trees to get at the highly nutritious pods.
In full camel-thorn tree:any of several species of Acacia tree, especially A. erioloba of the Fabaceae; giraffe acacia, see giraffe; kameeldoring; mokaala. Also attributive.
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