Lewis & Short

† călămus, i, m., = κάλαμος.

  1. I. Lit., a reed, cane (pure Lat. harundo; cf. canna), Plin. 16, 36, 65, § 159 sq.; 16, 21, 33, § 80; Col. 3, 15, 1; 4, 4, 1; Pall. Nov. 22, 3 al.: aromaticus (found in Syria and Arabia), sweet calamus, Col. 12, 52, 2: odoratus, Plin. 12, 22, 48, § 104; Veg. 6, 13, 3.
    Also absol.: calamus, Cato, R. R. 105, 2; Plin. 13, 1, 2, § 8 sq.: Syriacus, Veg. 4, 13, 4.
  2. II. Meton.
    1. A. For objects made of reeds (cf. harundo, and Liddell and Scott, under κάλαμος).
      1. 1. A reed-pen (cf. Dict. of Antiq.; class.): quicumque calamus in manus meas inciderit, eo utar tamquam bono, Cic. Q. Fr. 2, 14 (15 b), 1: sumere, id. Att. 6, 8, 1: calamo et atramento militare, Cato ap. Ruf. p. 199: quoad intinguntur calami, Quint. 10, 3, 31: transversus, Hor. A. P. 447: scriptorius, Cels. 7, 11; 7, 27; Scrib. 10, 47.
      2. 2. A reed-pipe, reed (cf. Lucr. 5, 1380 sq.; the form is described in Tib. 2, 5, 32; Ov. M. 1, 711): unco saepe labro calamos percurrit hiantes, with curved lip runs over the open reeds, Lucr. 4, 590; 5, 1382; 5, 1407; Verg. E. 2, 34; 5, 48; 1, 10; 2, 32; 5, 2; Cat. 63, 22; Prop. 3 (4), 17, 34; 4 (5), 1, 24; Ov. M. 11, 161 al.
      3. 3. An arrow: hastas et calami spicula Gnosii, Hor. C. 1, 15, 17; Verg. E. 3, 13; Prop. 2 (3), 19, 24; Ov. M. 7, 778; 8, 30; Juv. 13, 80; cf. Plin. 16, 36, 65, § 159 sq.
      4. 4. An angling-rod, fishing-rod: calamo salientes ducere pisces, Ov. M. 3, 587.
      5. 5. A lime-twig for snaring birds, Prop. 3 (4), 13, 46; Mart. 13, 68; 14, 218; Sen. Oct. 411.
      6. 6. A signal-pole or rod, Col. 3, 15, 1 sq.
      7. 7. A measuring-rod, Vulg. Ezech. 40, 5 al.
    2. B. Transf. to things of a similar form.
      1. 1. In gen., any straw of grain, a stalk, stem, blade: lupini calamus, Verg. G. 1, 76: calamus altior frumento quam hordeo, Plin. 18, 7, 10, § 61.
      2. 2. A graft, a scion, Plin. 17, 14, 24, § 102 sq.; 17, 18. 30, § 129; 24, 14, 75, § 123; Col. 4, 29, 9.
      3. 3. A small rod, used in Egypt for pointing out the way, Plin. 6, 29, 33, § 166.
      4. 4. The hollow arm of a candelabra, Vulg. Exod. 25, 31 sq.