† 1. One who belongs to a camp, or to the camp (cf. CAMP sb.2 3); a soldier, military man; a camp-follower. Obs.
1631. R. H., Arraignm. Whole Creature, xi. § 1. 99. They promise … more than SAVL to his Courtiers, and Campers.
1691. [De Foe], New Disc. Old Intreague, xvi. 8. The running Campers.
2. One who goes into camp, or encamps; one who lives or lodges in a camp or tent. Camper out: one who lodges in a camp or tent in the open.
1856. Kane, Arct. Expl., II. ix. 92. As ingeniously dovetailed and crowded together as the campers-out in a buffalo-bag.
1869. Daily Tel., 5 July, 3/1. The new campers this year are the 7th Surrey, the 19th Surrey, and the London Irish.
1883. L. L. Hubbard, in American, VII. 169/1. A true and circumstantial delineation of the camper’s life in the Maine forests.
3. One who takes part in a camp-meeting.
1883. Chicago Advance, 16 Aug. At the Sabbath services none but the regular campers were in attendance.
