Caravan

//ˈkæɹəvæn// noun, verb

Definitions

Noun
  1. 1
    A convoy or procession of travellers, their cargo and vehicles, and any pack animals, especially camels crossing a desert.

    "To the left the caravan animals, securely picketed, at regular distances of some fifteen yards apart, occupied an area of several acres."

  2. 2
    a camper equipped with living quarters wordnet
  3. 3
    A furnished vehicle towed behind a car, etc., and used as a dwelling when stationary. Australia, British, New-Zealand, South-Africa

    "An Italian woman, twenty years of age, […] was travelling in a caravan with the baggage of the Duke of Wellington's army, in the middle of the night, in a violent storm, while she was fast asleep, a small monkey with a long chain upon the roof of the caravan took refuge in it […]"

  4. 4
    a procession (of wagons or mules or camels) traveling together in single file wordnet
  5. 5
    A group of camels. collective
Verb
  1. 1
    To travel in a caravan (procession).

    "The wedding party got in their cars and caravaned from the chapel to the reception hall."

  2. 2
    travel in a caravan wordnet
  3. 3
    To travel and/or live in a caravan (vehicle). Australia, UK

    "When my parents retired they really got back into caravanning."

Etymology

Etymology 1

From Middle French caravane, from Old French carvane, from Persian کاروان (kârvân), from Middle Persian kʾlwʾn' (kārawān), from Old Persian 𐎣𐎠𐎼 (k-a-r, “people, subjects”). The word was used to designate a group of people who were travelling by camel or horse on the Silk Road. Doublet of Kairouan.

Etymology 2

From Middle French caravane, from Old French carvane, from Persian کاروان (kârvân), from Middle Persian kʾlwʾn' (kārawān), from Old Persian 𐎣𐎠𐎼 (k-a-r, “people, subjects”). The word was used to designate a group of people who were travelling by camel or horse on the Silk Road. Doublet of Kairouan.

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