la cama
bed
Mueble usado para dormir o descansar, formado por una base y un colchón.
Definition & meaning
The word cama primarily refers to a piece of furniture used for sleeping or resting. It typically consists of a frame, a mattress, and bedding such as sheets and pillows.
Beyond its primary use, the word has several other meanings:
- Layer or base: In culinary contexts or geology, it refers to a layer of something that serves as a foundation for another. For example, a cama de arroz refers to a "bed of rice" upon which other food is placed.
- Animal bedding: It can refer to the straw, hay, or other materials spread on the floor for animals to sleep on or to collect their waste.
- Support structure: In mechanics or construction, it can refer to a base or cradle that supports a heavy object.
Grammar & Word origin
The word cama is a feminine noun. In Spanish, it is used with the feminine articles la or una. Its plural form is camas.
Regarding its origin, the word comes from the Latin word cama, which meant a small or low bed. Some etymologists suggest it may have pre-Roman roots, potentially from Celtic or Iberian languages, referring to a depression or a hollow in the ground used for resting.
Synonyms & antonyms
Synonyms:
- For the piece of furniture: lecho, catre, camastro, piltra.
- For a layer or base: capa, base, estrato, asiento.
Antonyms:
As cama refers to a physical object, it does not have a direct logical antonym. However, in the context of where one sleeps, suelo (floor) is sometimes used as a functional opposite.
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Examples
Voy a la cama temprano.noun
I go to bed early.
Me gusta leer en mi cama.noun
I like to read in my bed.
Mi cama es muy cómoda.noun
My bed is very comfortable.
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