calamus
- noun
- /ˈkæləməs/
- Archaic
:
cálamo
- In ancient times, scribes often used a calamus made from reed to write important documents.
Examples
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As for the writing utensil, a Reed stylus or calamus was common.
-
As for the writing utensil, a Reed stylus or calamus was common.
-
The calamus was favored by many scholars because its fine tip allowed for precise writing.
-
Before the invention of modern pens, writers relied on the calamus to create manuscripts.
Synonyms
11
8.7
A pen made from a bird's feather used for writing in the past
2
8.1
A writing tool made from a bird's feather that you dip in ink to write
1
3.2
A thing that you use to write, like a pen or pencil
1
5.6
A pointed tool used to write or cut marks on soft materials like wax and clay
A long stiff part of a bird's wing once used for writing
A thin stick of soft stone that people use to write on a slate in old classrooms
Compounds
- Specialized
A tall spiny climbing palm from northeast Queensland, Australia, with long stems used for weaving
- Specialized
A fragrant oil from the calamus root used in perfumes that may cause cancer
- Specialized
A marsh plant with long swordlike leaves and fragrant roots used in medicine
A marsh plant with long leaves and sweet-smelling roots used for flavoring and medicine
Surface Forms
Etymology
Calamus used to mean a reed or quill pen because the Greek kalamos was a hollow reed people used for writing, just like an early 'pen'. So calamus came to mean a reed or quill used to write in ancient times.