Chameleon

Part of speech: noun

Pronunciation: /kəˈmi.li.ən/

Definitions

1. A lizard that changes its skin color to match its surroundings or express emotions, or a person who readily adapts their behavior to different situations
2. A reptile capable of altering its skin hue to blend with the environment ; an individual who adjusts their demeanor or opinions according to varying circumstances
3. A type of lizard known for shifting its coloration for camouflage or communication ; a person notable for changing their attitude or beliefs to suit different settings

Etymology: The Greek name for this lizard literally meant "lion on the ground." Ancient Greek "khamaileon" joined "khamai" ("on the ground") and "leon" ("lion"), and the creature earned its name from the way it crawled low through the undergrowth. The Greeks did not invent the name from scratch, though. It is a calque of an Akkadian term, "nēšu ša qaqqari," which described the reptile in much the same way: a predator that prowls the ground. The word passed into Latin as "chamaeleon," then into Old French as "cameleon," and reached Middle English as "camelion." Its modern spelling is a later adjustment. In the early 18th century, writers re-Latinized the spelling to bring it back in line with the Greek and Latin forms, so "chameleon" looks more classical than the version English originally borrowed.

Synonyms: lizard, reptile, color changer, adaptable person, shifter

Antonyms: constant, unchanging, stable, fixed, predictable