caravan

Definition from Wiktionary, a free dictionary

[edit] English

[edit] Etymology

From Persian کاروان (kâravân). The word was used to designate a group of people who were traveling by camel or horse on the silk road. The word is derived from karvan: kar means mission or pursuit and wan/ban means those people and guardian.

[edit] Pronunciation

• enPR: kărˈə-văn, IPA: /ˈkærəvæn/, SAMPA: /"k{r@v{n/
•  Audio (US)^{help, file}

[edit] Noun

caravan (plural caravans)

1. A convoy or procession of travelers, their vehicles and cargo, and any pack animals, especially camels crossing a desert.
2. (British, Australian) A furnished vehicle towed behind a car etc and used as a dwelling when stationary.

[edit] Synonyms

• convoy (1)
• camel train (1)
• wagon train (1)
• (US): camper (2)
• (US): motor home (2)
• (US): recreational vehicle
• (US): trailer (2)
• (US): travel trailer (2)

[edit] Translations

[edit] Related terms

• caravan park, caravan site
• caravanserai, caravansary
• van

[edit] Verb

to caravan (third-person singular simple present caravans, present participle caravaning or caravanning, simple past and past participle caravaned or caravanned)

1. To travel in a caravan.

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

2. (British, Australian) To stay in a caravan.

   When my parents retired they really got back into caravanning.

[edit] External links

• caravan at The Septic's Companion: A British Slang Dictionary