Definition of: chamois

(sham′ē, Fr. shá·mwä′) noun plural ·ois
1. A mountain antelope of Europe, the Caucasus, and western Asia (Rupicapra rupicapra).
2. A soft leather originally prepared from the skin of the chamois, now from sheep, goats, deer, etc.: also spelled shammy, shamois. Also cham′my.
3. The color of this leather, a yellowish–beige.
—v.t.
1. To dress (leather or skin) like chamois.
2. To clean or dry with a chamois skin, as an automobile. [<F]