bugcat
445
In calque.
Akkadian 𒌨𒈤ð’Šð’† splits into 𒌨𒈤 (nesu, lion), ð’Š (sa, of), and ð’† (qaqqari, ground).
It was then calqued to Greek χαμαιλÎων which splits into χαμαί (khamai, on the ground) and λÎων (leon, lion).
From whence it became Latin chamaeleon.
Calques are one of my favourite things in etymology, ever since I read a list of them that were noted in the Mesoamerican Sprachbund.