calamus

American  

[kal-uh-muhs] / ˈkæl ə məs /

noun

plural

calami

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.

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calamus British  

/ 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

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Etymology

Origin of calamus

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

Example Sentences

In the garden grow "an orchard of pomegranates . . . spikenard and saffron; calamus and cinnamon, with all trees of frankincense".

From The Guardian • Jan. 29, 2011

Then follow other articles of commerce: bright iron, cassia, calamus and precious cloths for chariots.

From The Prophet Ezekiel An Analytical Exposition by Gaebelein, Arno C.

Obex, ō′beks, n. a barrier: a thickening at the calamus scriptorius of the medulla oblongata.

From Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 3 of 4: N-R) by Various

Indeed the word calamus still lives, though corrupted to the French chalumeau and still further altered to the German Schalmei and the English shawm.

From Rustic Sounds and Other Studies in Literature and Natural History by Darwin, Francis, Sir

In seven large bowls he places calamus, cedarwood, and incense.

From The Religion of Babylonia and Assyria by Jastrow, Morris

Related Words

• fringe
• plume