camlan
Definition
Proper noun 1. (Arthurian legend) The site of King Arthur's final battle: In Arthurian legend, Camlan is the name of the battlefield where the legendary King Arthur fought his last battle, was mortally wounded, and was subsequently taken to the Isle of Avalon.
Usage Notes
- Camlan is used almost exclusively as a proper noun referring to this specific, legendary location.
- It is a key term in the mythology of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table, symbolizing the end of an era and the fall of Arthur's kingdom.
- The word is typically used in historical, literary, or mythological contexts.
Examples of Usage
- Proper noun:
- The battle of Camlan resulted in the deaths of many of Arthur's knights.
- Legends say that after Camlan, Arthur was carried away to be healed.
- The location of the historical Camlan, if it existed, is still debated by scholars.
Advanced Usage
- As a symbol: In literary analysis, "Camlan" can be used symbolically to represent a catastrophic final conflict or the tragic end of a golden age.
- For the company, the failed merger was its Camlan, leading to the dissolution of the original team.
Variants and Related Words
- Battle of Camlan: The full, most common phrase used to describe the event.
- Avalon: The mythical island to which Arthur was taken after the Battle of Camlan.
- Mordred: Arthur's nephew and traitorous foe at the Battle of Camlan.
Synonyms
- (The) final battle: A descriptive, non-proper noun phrase.
- Armageddon: (Figuratively) A final, catastrophic battle (used in a broader, often religious context).
Related Idioms
- A modern Camlan: Used to describe a contemporary situation of disastrous internal conflict or a battle that ends something great.
- The political scandal became the party's modern Camlan, destroying its unity.
Noun
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(Arthurian legend) the battlefield where King Arthur was mortally wounded