camouflage

camouflage , in warfare, the disguising of objects with artificial aids, especially for the purpose of making them blend into their surroundings or of deceiving the observer as to the location of strategic points. The principle, of course, is observed in the world of nature (see protective coloration ) and has long been used by humans. Scientific camouflage was greatly developed in World War I, when the French, in particular, used elaborate devices to conceal military objectives and industrial plants. False landscapes were created, using wire screens as a foundation for foliage, and ships were dazzle-painted to conceal their course by distortion of perspective. In World War II camouflage was further developed and was used on a large scale by all belligerents. With the development of radar and aerial photography (see aerial and satellite photography ) during that war, camouflage diminished greatly in utility; however, camouflage again became important, particularly in the guerrilla campaigns of the Vietnam War.

camouflage Way in which a trace element can substitute for a common element of the same valency and nearly the same ionic radius in a crystal lattice, e.g. Hf⁴⁺ for Zr⁴⁺. The trace element is said to be camouflaged by the more common element. Compare CAPTURE.

camouflage XX. — F., f. camoufler (thieves' sl.) — It. camuffare disguise, deceive, perh. assoc. with camouflet whiff of smoke in the face; see -AGE.