calamus

[ kal-uh-muh s ]

/ ˈkæl ə məs /

the sweet flag, Acorus calamus.

its aromatic root.

any of various tropical Asian palms of the genus Calamus, some of which are a source of rattan.

the hollow base of a feather; a quill.

Origin of calamus

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

It is recognized by converging fibres which look like a pen, and are therefore called the calamus scriptorius, or writers pen.

Buchanan's Journal of Man, May 1887 |Various
Walt was thirty-six when Leaves appeared; forty-one when Calamus was written.

Ivory Apes and Peacocks |James Huneker
Others, guiding the calamus with learned hand, draw figures of different shapes and colours on parchments.

The Mediaeval Mind (Volume II of II) |Henry Osborn Taylor
It resembles sweet-flag (Calamus) and has been mistaken for it.

Ginseng and Other Medicinal Plants |A. R. (Arthur Robert) Harding

The various classes of canes, rattans and others of the Calamus family, have a great importance and value.

A Visit to the Philippine Islands |John Bowring

calamus

/ (ˈkæləməs) /

any tropical Asian palm of the genus Calamus, some species of which are a source of rattan and canes

another name for sweet flag

the aromatic root of the sweet flag

ornithol the basal hollow shaft of a feather; quill

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