chamois: [16] The word chamois (the name of a species of Alpine antelope) probably goes back to a language spoken in the Alps before the Romans penetrated northwards. They adopted it as late Latin camox, and in the local Romansch language it is kamuotsch, but the source of the English word is the related French chamois. Its use in the sense ‘soft wash-leather’, as originally made from the skin of the chamois, dates from the 16th century, although the spelling shammy is not recorded before the 17th century.
1550s, "Alpine antelope;" 1570s, "soft leather," originally "skin of the chamois," from Middle French chamois "Alpine antelope" (14c.), from Late Latin camox (genitive camocis), perhaps from a pre-Latin Alpine language that also produced Italian camoscio, Spanish camuza, Old High German gamiza, German Gemse (though some of these might be from Latin camox). As a verb, "to polish with chamois," from 1934.
双语例句
1. The Scotchman made a jump that a chamois would not have been ashamed of.
那位苏格兰人用可以和羚羊媲美的轻巧劲儿向后一跳.
来自辞典例句
2. On vinyl tops, a synthetic chamois or microfibre towel also work well.
在聚氯乙烯的顶部, 用上述两种产品也可以.
来自互联网
3. It's the chamois'leaping powers, more than its fleetness of foot, that was astounding.
