Cal"a*mus (?), n.; pl. Calami (#). [L., a reed. See Halm.]
1. Bot.
The indian cane, a plant of the Palm family. It furnishes the common rattan. See Rattan, and Dragon's blood.
2. Bot.
A species of Acorus (A. calamus), commonly called calamus, or sweet flag. The root has a pungent, aromatic taste, and is used in medicine as a stomachic; the leaves have an aromatic odor, and were formerly used instead of rushes to strew on floors.
3. Zool.
The horny basal portion of a feather; the barrel or quill.
© Webster 1913.