calami

1 definition found

calami - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Calamus \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
        .
        [1913 Webster]
  
     2. (Bot.) A species of Acorus (Acorus 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.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     3. (Zool.) The horny basal portion of a feather; the barrel
        or quill.
        [1913 Webster]