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camass

or cam·as

[ kam-uhs ]

noun

  1. any of several plants of the genus Camassia, of the lily family, especially C. quamash, of western North America, having long clusters of blue to white flowers and edible bulbs.


camass

/ ˈkæmæs /

noun

  1. Also calledquamash any of several North American plants of the liliaceous genus Camassia, esp C. quamash, which has a cluster of blue or white flowers and a sweet edible bulb
  2. death camass
    any liliaceous plant of the genus Zygadenus (or Zigadenus ), of the western US, that is poisonous to livestock, esp sheep
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012


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Word History and Origins

Origin of camass1

An Americanism dating back to 1795–1805; from Chinook Jargon qamaš, qawaš from Nuu-chah-nulth (Nootka) qawaš-, qawi- “salmonberry, any berry or small fruit”
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Word History and Origins

Origin of camass1

C19: from Chinook Jargon kamass, from Nootka chamas sweet
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Example Sentences

Both the pion and the camass are largely utilized even at the present day for food by the Indians.

The Natives along the River now are generally employed curing salmon and collecting camass.

For "quamash" read "camass," an edible root much prized by the Nez Perces then and now.

They were cooked elaborately in pits, care being taken to avoid the poisonous bulbs of the Death Camass, which resemble them.

Camass, ka-mas′, n. a small plant growing in the north-western United States, also its nutritious bulb.

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