The Collaborative International Dictionary
Chameleon \Cha*me"le*on\ (k[.a]*m[=e]"l[-e]*[u^]n), n. [L. Chamaeleon, Gr. chamaile`wn, lit., ``ground lion;'' chamai` on the ground + le`wn lion. See Humble, and Lion.] (Zo["o]l.)
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A lizardlike reptile of the genus Cham[ae]leo, of several species, found in Africa, Asia, and Europe. The skin is covered with fine granulations; it has eyes which can move separately, the tail is prehensile, and the body is much compressed laterally, giving it a high back. It is remarkable for its ability to change the color of its skin to blend with its surroundings. [Also sometimes spelled chamaeleon.]
Note: Its color changes more or less with the color of the objects about it, or with its temper when disturbed. In a cool, dark place it is nearly white, or grayish; on admitting the light, it changes to brown, bottle-green, or blood red, of various shades, and more or less mottled in arrangment. The American chameleons belong to Anolis and allied genera of the family Iguanid[ae]. They are more slender in form than the true chameleons, but have the same power of changing their colors.
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a person who changes opinions, ideas, or behavior to suit the prevailing social climate; an opportunist.
Chameleon mineral (Chem.), the compound called potassium permanganate, a dark violet, crystalline substance, KMnO4, which in formation passes through a peculiar succession of color from green to blue, purple, red, etc. See Potassium permanganate, under Potassium.
Wiktionary
n. (context chemistry English) KMnO4, the most readily available commercial permanganate; it is used as an oxidizing agent both in industry and in the analytical laboratory.
WordNet
n. a poisonous salt that forms dark purple crystals and is purple-red when dissolved in water; used as an oxidizing and bleaching agent and as a disinfectant and antiseptic [syn: permanganate of potash]
Wikipedia
Potassium permanganate is an inorganic chemical compound with the chemical formula KMnO. It is a salt consisting of K and ions. Formerly known as permanganate of potash or Condy's crystals, it is a strong oxidizing agent. It dissolves in water to give intensely pink or purple solutions, the evaporation of which leaves prismatic purplish-black glistening crystals. In 2000, worldwide production was estimated at 30,000 tonnes. In this compound, manganese is in the +7 oxidation state.
It is on the WHO Model List of Essential Medicines, the most important medications needed in a basic health system.
Usage examples of "potassium permanganate".
An early mixture of magnesium and perchlorate of potash has since given way to an even slower-burning mix of aluminum powder and potassium permanganate which will probably remain standard until the last Musky has been slain.
She also has a small enamel basin, two flannels and a jug of boiled water beside her bed as well as a jar of potassium permanganate and a jar of seaweed extract and other assorted herbs.
Four hundred pounds of hydrogen peroxide mixes with forty pounds of potassium permanganate and makes steam which drives the turbines underneath them.
It is highly inflammable, and spies seem to have kept potassium permanganate at hand to turn an ordinary combustion into an almost explosive reaction to destroy the pads rapidly and completely.
A sort of fun explosive is potassium permanganate mixed with powdered sugar.
A hot solution of potassium permanganate applied locally is also recommended as a cure, also solutions of lead and ammonia.
An early mixture of magnesium and perchlorate of potash has since given way to an even slower-burning mix of aluminum powder and potassium permanganate which will probably remain standard until the last Musky has been slain (long-range plans for long-range artillery shot will have to wait until we can find a good cheap source of cerium, zirconium or thorium—.
An early mixture of magnesium and perchlorate of potash has since given way to an even slower-burning mix of aluminum powder and potassium permanganate which will probably remain standard until the last Musky has been slain (long-range plans for long-range artillery shot will have to wait until we can find a good cheap source of cerium, zirconium or thoriumunlikely in the near future).
The said property was a vast creaking warehouse in the northern district that stored barrels of sulfuric acid, salt, gasoline, bicarbonate of soda, and potassium permanganate.
I learned about potassium permanganate while researching do-it-yourself abortion methods at the public library.
And there was a little canister of dark crystals that turned out to be potassium permanganate.
The effects of the potassium permanganate crystals would be interesting.
Martians have happily adopted tobacco, though in their atmosphere it must include potassium permanganate.
I lay on the bed white Katie painted me with potassium permanganate a favourite whore's trick.
I lay on the bed white Katie painted me with potassium permanganate a favourite whore’.