camelbacks

Noun

camelback (countable and uncountable, plural camelbacks)

1. (uncountable) The backs of camels.
   • We travelled across the desert on camelback.
2. (countable) A flexible water container worn on the back.
   • An empty camelback is a blessing and a curse: it is easy to carry, but it means you have no water.
3. (countable) A house with a second storey that does not completely cover the ground floor.
   • My friend lived in a camelback; we used to have fun climbing out of the window onto the roof below.
4. (countable) A railway locomotive that has its cab in the middle as opposed to at the end.
   • The camelbacks were designed to help with the visibility problems inherent in putting the driver behind the entire engine.
5. (countable) A sofa or chair whose back has a raised middle part.
   • He fell back relieved into his favourite camelback with a gin and tonic.
6. (uncountable) A type of rubber used in tyre restoration.
   • We require four million tons of camelback each year.

See all 8 meanings of camelback