calamus

[ kal-uh-muhs ]

noun

, plural cal·a·mi [kal, -, uh, -mahy].

1. the sweet flag, Acorus calamus.
2. its aromatic root.
3. any of various tropical Asian palms of the genus Calamus, some of which are a source of rattan.
4. the hollow base of a feather; a quill.

calamus

/ ˈkæləməs /

noun

1. any tropical Asian palm of the genus Calamus, some species of which are a source of rattan and canes
2. another name for sweet flag
3. the aromatic root of the sweet flag
4. ornithol the basal hollow shaft of a feather; quill

Word History and Origins

Origin of calamus¹

1350–1400; Middle English < Latin < Greek kálamos reed, stalk

Word History and Origins

Origin of calamus¹

C14: from Latin, from Greek kalamos reed, cane, stem

Example Sentences

In the past, European herbalists and natural healers mixed adders and calamus roots with vodka.

From Salon

Even though the calamus itself didn’t turn up, Kaye and coauthors report, there’s a “geochemical halo” left over from the structure that matches the original description.

From Scientific American

Others are not only potentially hazardous to use, but also banned by federal regulation, like tonka beans or calamus, an herb.

From New York Times

Hence in Italian a squid is called calamaio, from calamus a reed or pen, and in English the similar term calamary is sometimes used.

From Project Gutenberg

Haematoma and dry gangrene of the ears in animals born of parents in which these ear-alterations had been caused by an injury to the restiform body near the nib of the calamus. 7th.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• fringe
• plume