Chameleon

n. [Lat. chamæleon, Gr. χαμαιλέων, literally, ground-lion, from χαμαί, on the ground, and λέων, lion.] (Zoöl.) A lizard-like reptile of the genus Chamæleo. The skin is without scales, but is covered with fine granulations; the tail is prehensile, and the body is much compressed, giving it a high back. 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 arrangement.

Chameleon mineral, a compound formed by fusing together at a red heat peroxide of manganese and an equal weight of niter or carbonate of potash: the colored fluid obtained by dissolving it in water is at first green, and then changes successively to blue, purple, and red, and finally throws down a brown precipitate, and becomes colorless. Dana.