kamala

[ kuh-mey-luh, kam-uh-luh, kuhm- ]

/ kəˈmeɪ lə, ˈkæm ə lə, ˈkʌm- /

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noun

a powder from the capsules of an East Indian tree, Mallotus philippinensis, of the spurge family, used as a yellow dye and in medicine as an anthelmintic.

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Origin of kamala

Borrowed into English from Sanskrit around 1810–20

Words nearby kamala

kamaaina, kamacite, Kamadhenu, kamahi, Kamakura, kamala, Kamarhati, Kama Sutra, Kamba, kambal, Kamchadal

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use kamala in a sentence

Bridgepoint also is being investigated by California Attorney General Kamala Harris.
‘Degree Mills’ Are Exploiting Veterans and Making Millions Off the GI Bill|Aaron Glantz|June 28, 2014|DAILY BEAST
With Kamala Khan, Marvel is smashing the tired stereotype by showing the universality of issues that plague teenagers.
Meet the Muslim Ms. Marvel: Kamala Khan’s Fight Against Stereotypes|Rula Jebreal|November 8, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Kamala reminds me of myself when I was 14, witnessing violence in the Middle East.
Meet the Muslim Ms. Marvel: Kamala Khan’s Fight Against Stereotypes|Rula Jebreal|November 8, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Marvel has a comic book superhero named Kamala Khan, a Muslim teen from New Jersey.
Meet the Muslim Ms. Marvel: Kamala Khan’s Fight Against Stereotypes|Rula Jebreal|November 8, 2013|DAILY BEAST

Kamala's character will struggle to exist in her observant Muslim family.
Meet the Muslim Ms. Marvel: Kamala Khan’s Fight Against Stereotypes|Rula Jebreal|November 8, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Here with Kamala was the worth and purpose of his present life, nit with the business of Kamaswami.
Siddhartha|Herman Hesse
Kamala is imported from India, where it is known under the name of kameela.
Cooley's Practical Receipts, Volume II|Arnold Cooley
You'll see that I'll learn quickly, Kamala, I have already learned harder things than what you're supposed to teach me.
Siddhartha|Herman Hesse
Into her shady grove stepped the pretty Kamala, At the grove's entrance stood the brown Samana.
Siddhartha|Herman Hesse
More lovely, thought the young man, than offerings for gods, More lovely is offering to pretty Kamala.
Siddhartha|Herman Hesse

British Dictionary definitions for kamala

kamala

/ (kəˈmɑːlə, ˈkæmələ) /

noun

an East Indian euphorbiaceous tree, Mallotus philippinensis

a powder obtained from the seed capsules of this tree, used as a dye and formerly as a worm powder

Word Origin for kamala

C19: from Sanskrit, probably of Dravidian origin; compare Kanarese kōmale

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012