Main Entry: cal·a·mus

Pronunciation: \ˈka-lə-məs\

Function: noun

Inflected Form(s): plural cal·a·mi \-ˌmī, -ˌmē\

Etymology: Latin, reed, reed pen, from Greek kalamos — more at haulm

Date: 14th century

1 a : sweet flag b : the aromatic peeled and dried rhizome of the sweet flag that is the source of a carcinogenic essential oil
2 : the hollow basal portion of a feather below the vane : quill