caravan

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   a procession (of wagons or mules or camels) traveling together in single file

   we were part of a caravan of almost a thousand camels

2. 2
   noun

   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.

3. 3
   noun

   A furnished vehicle towed behind a car, etc., and used as a dwelling when stationary.

   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
   verb

   To travel in a caravan (procession).

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

5. 5
   verb

   To travel and/or live in a caravan (vehicle).

   When my parents retired they really got back into caravanning.

6. 6
   noun

   a camper equipped with living quarters

7. 7
   verb

   to travel in a caravan

8. 8
   noun

   A group of camels.

Etymology

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.