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cam·as or cam·ass

(kăməs)

1. Any of several plants of the genus Camassia, especially C. quamash of western North America, having grasslike leaves, a raceme of blue flowers, and a bulb that has traditionally been an important food for various Native American peoples. Also called quamash.

2. Death camas.

[Nez Perce qém'es, qém'eš.]

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:

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Semitic Roots

The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.

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