Illustrated Companion to the Latin Dictionary/Calamus
Illustrated Companion to the Latin Dictionary, and Greek Lexicon (Rich, 1849)
editCAL'AMUS (κάλαμος). Literally the haulm or stalk of any tall plant, but more especially of the reed or cane; whence it applied in the same way as the word ARUNDO, and to designate a similar class of objects; as
1. An arrow. Hor. Od. i. 15. 17. ARUNDO 2.
2. Pan's pipes. Virg. Ecl. ii. 33. ARUNDO 6.
3. A fishing-rod. Mart. according to Riddle, s. v. ARUNDO 3.
4. A fowler's lime-tipped rod. Mart. Ep. xiv. 218. ARUNDO 4.
5. A writing-reed. Cic. Att. vi. 8. Hor. A. P. 447. ARUNDO 5.
6. Also a tall reed or cane, set up as a sign-post in the sandy deserts of Egypt. Plin. H. N. vi. 33.