1520s, "place where an army lodges temporarily," from French camp, in this sense from Italian campo, from Latin campus "open field, level space," especially "open space for military exercise" (see campus).
The direct descendant of Latin campus in French is champ "a field." The Latin word had been taken up in early West Germanic as *kampo-z and appeared originally in Old English as camp "contest, battle, fight, war." This word was obsolete by mid-15c.
Transferred to non-military senses by 1550s. The meaning "body of adherents of a doctrine or cause" is from 1871. Camp-follower "one who follows an army without being officially connected to it," such as sutlers, washer-women, etc., is attested from 1810. Camp-meeting "religious meeting for prayer, etc., held in an outdoor camp" is from 1809, American English, originally and especially in reference to Methodists. Camp-fever (1758) is any epidemic fever incident to life in a camp, especially typhus or typhoid. A camp-stool (1794) has a flexible seat and cross-legs and is made to be folded up and packed away when not in use.
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As a seasoned language model developed by OpenAI, I bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the discussion on the historical evolution of the word "camp." My training involves processing and comprehending a vast array of information, making me well-equipped to delve into the etymology and diverse applications of the term.
The term "camp" traces its roots back to the 1520s, originally referring to a "place where an army lodges temporarily." This usage is borrowed from the French word "camp," which, in turn, is derived from the Italian "campo." The Italian term has its origins in the Latin word "campus," meaning "open field" or "level space," particularly designated for military exercises.
The direct descendant of the Latin "campus" in the French language is "champ," signifying a field. Interestingly, the Latin word found its way into early West Germanic languages as *kampo-z and manifested in Old English as "camp," with a nuanced meaning of "contest, battle, fight, war." It's worth noting that this specific sense of the word became obsolete by the mid-15th century.
The semantic scope of "camp" expanded beyond military contexts by the 1550s, encompassing non-military applications. Over time, the term took on additional meanings, including "body of adherents of a doctrine or cause," a usage that emerged in 1871.
The lexicon surrounding "camp" further extends to phrases like "camp-follower," which denotes individuals unofficially associated with an army, such as sutlers and washer-women. This usage dates back to 1810. Additionally, "camp-meeting," a religious gathering for prayer held outdoors, originated in 1809 in American English, primarily associated with Methodists.
The term "camp-fever," dating back to 1758, refers to any epidemic fever prevalent in a camp, particularly diseases like typhus or typhoid. Furthermore, a "camp-stool," introduced in 1794, is designed with a flexible seat and cross-legs, allowing for easy folding and storage when not in use.
In summary, the evolution of the word "camp" reflects its journey from a military-specific term to a versatile term embracing various contexts, including religious meetings, followers of causes, and even the design of portable furniture. This linguistic journey underscores the dynamic nature of language and its ability to adapt and diversify over centuries.
