Definition

1. Noun:
   • The hollow, stiff, central shaft of a feather: The rigid, hollow part of a feather that attaches to a bird's skin and supports the feather's structure.
   • A genus of fish in the family Sparidae: A taxonomic genus comprising certain types of porgies or seabreams.
   • A perennial marsh plant (Acorus calamus): A wetland plant characterized by long, sword-shaped leaves and a fragrant, medicinal rhizome (rootstalk). Also known as sweet flag.
   • The aromatic rhizome of the sweet flag plant: This root is used in traditional medicine and for its fragrance.
   • Any tropical Asian palm of the genus Calamus: A type of climbing palm whose light, flexible, yet tough stems are the primary source of rattan cane used for furniture and weaving.

Usage Examples

• Noun (Feather Part):

  • The calamus of the feather was inserted firmly into the bird's skin.
  • To prepare the quill pen, he carefully trimmed the calamus.

• Noun (Plant):

  • Calamus grows abundantly at the edge of the pond.
  • The dried calamus root is often used in herbal preparations.

• Noun (Palm):

  • The furniture was made from the durable stem of the calamus palm.
  • Rattan harvested from calamus is prized for its flexibility.

Advanced Usage

• In Botany and Zoology: The term is used precisely to refer to specific anatomical parts (the feather shaft) or taxonomic groups (the plant or the palm genus ). It is common in scientific and technical writing.
  • The study focused on the microstructure of the feather's calamus.
  • The genus Calamus includes hundreds of species of rattan palms.

Variants and Related Words

• Sweet flag: The common name for the plant .
• Rattan: The material produced from the stems of palms in the genus and related genera.
• Quill: A pen made from the calamus of a large feather, especially from a bird like a goose.

Synonyms

• For the feather part: Shaft, quill (though 'quill' often refers to the whole large feather or the pen made from it).
• For the plant: Sweet flag, myrtle flag.
• For the palm stem: Rattan, cane.

Related Phrases

• Calamus oil: An essential oil distilled from the rhizome of the sweet flag plant.
  • Calamus oil is used in perfumery and traditional medicine.

Notes on Different Meanings

The word "calamus" has distinct meanings across different fields (ornithology, botany, zoology/ichthyology, and commerce). The context is essential for determining which meaning is intended. In general English, it is a low-frequency, specialized term.

Noun

1. the hollow spine of a feather
2. a genus of Sparidae
3. perennial marsh plant having swordlike leaves and aromatic roots
4. the aromatic root of the sweet flag used medicinally
5. any tropical Asian palm of the genus Calamus; light tough stems are a source of rattan canes