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 oil2: the hollow basal portion of a feather below the vane : quill