Lamas

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A domesticated South American mammal related to camels, known for its wool and use as a pack animal
2. A symbol of cultural significance in Andean regions, often associated with traditional practices
3. An animal valued for companionship and its gentle disposition, commonly found in farms and cultural events

Etymology: "Lamas" is the plural of "lama," the English title for a teacher of Tibetan Buddhism. The English word was borrowed from Tibetan "bla ma," a term for a spiritual master, so the plural is simply the English "-s" added to that borrowed title. The Andean animal is a different word, "llama," spelled with a double "l," and the meaning you supplied fits that animal rather than this word. Speakers of Spanish also have a separate word, "lama," which referred to a thin metallic thread or cloth, and it is uncertain how much this word shares with the Tibetan one. The English plural "lamas" follows the Tibetan-derived sense.

Synonyms: llama, camelid